The San Diego Padres agreed to trade star slugger Juan Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees in the Major League Baseball winter meetings held in Nashville, Tennessee.
In return, the Padres will receive pitchers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez and catcher Kyle Higashioka.
This trade unfolds during a crucial offseason for both teams. The Yankees, aiming for a rebound from what their general manager Brian Cashman deemed "a disaster" of a season, are strategically maneuvering to strengthen their roster.
On the other hand, the Padres are downsizing their robust payroll. The team are currently facing financial considerations and the aftermath of a tumultuous summer along with the passing of owner Peter Seidler.
Soto is set to enter his final season of arbitration, with expectations of commanding a record-setting salary. As a client of Scott Boras, the 26-year-old outfielder is widely anticipated to enter free agency next winter.
With a scarcity of impact bats in the market, Soto emerged as one of the most significant available players as the Winter Meetings unfolded this week. He was second only to Shohei Ohtani.
Free agents update
The latest updates on the free-agent tracker for the 2023-24 offseason reveal that 43 out of the top 50 free agents are still unsigned. The top four free agents and eight out of the top 10 players have yet to find new homes, including the sport's biggest star, Ohtani.
CBS Sports has anticipated Ohtani will soon ink the largest contract in MLB history, possibly exceeding $500 million. While fans may expect a Winter Meetings announcement, Ohtani's decision is still pending. MLB Network's Jon Morosi recently suggested that Ohtani might finalize his decision by the end of the weekend.
Another prominent figure in the free-agent market is the 25-year-old Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The right-handed pitcher possesses ace-level skills and performance, making him an appealing prospect for teams seeking long-term rotation stability.
Yamamoto's future is also under intense scrutiny, with potential commitments exceeding $300 million, not including the posting fee owed to his NPB team, the Orix Buffaloes. Mets owner Steve Cohen reportedly held a face-to-face meeting with Yamamoto in Japan last week.
The Mets, having parted ways with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the deadline, urgently require pitching reinforcements. Cohen's reputation as a lavish spender in MLB circles only intensifies the speculation.
However, the Mets aren't the only contenders vying for Yamamoto's talents. The Yankees, aiming for a "YamaSoto" partnership in the Bronx, joined the race alongside other interested teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. As the off-season drama unfolds, Yamamoto must make a decision by January 4, adhering to posting rules.
Amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the top-tier free agents, Eduardo Rodríguez has signed a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-handed pitcher signed a four-year contract worth around $20 million per year but is still pending a physical examination.
The deal was finalized late Wednesday night, even before heavyweight teams like the Dodgers and Yankees entered the negotiations.
The acquisition of Rodriguez adds depth to the Diamondbacks' pitching roster, positioning him as a formidable No. 3 starter behind Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, with Brandon Pfaadt also in the mix following his breakout performance in October.
Arizona appears poised for a strong contention in the upcoming season, with aspirations for a repeat trip to the World Series.
