SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – The San Diego Padres bolstered their roster ahead of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline by acquiring Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto in a multi-player blockbuster deal.
The trade sends the 23-year-old Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to San Diego for a package of Padres prospects: infielder C.J. Abrams, outfielders Robert Hassell III and James Wood, and pitchers Mackenzie Gore and Jarlin Susana.
Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer was initially included in the deal, but he declined to waive his no-trade clause, according to multiple reports.
About two hours later, ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan reported Hosmer was being dealt to the Boston Red Sox. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Hosmer, minor league pitcher Corey Rosier, and minor league infielder Max Ferguson are heading to the Red Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Jay Groome.
In a development early Tuesday afternoon, Passan said first baseman/DH Luke Voit would instead be included in the Padres' package being sent back to Washington.
Soto, a two-time All-Star and part of the Nationals’ 2019 World Series-winning team, has hit 21 home runs and drove in 46 runs so far in 2022. The outfielder leads all of baseball in walks and is third in MLB in on-base percentage.
Bell, 29, is ranked in the top five in the National League in batting average. He has hit 14 home runs and has 57 RBI on the season.
With time running out before the deadline, the Padres acquired infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury from the Cincinnati Reds. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, San Diego is sending minor leaguer Victor Acosta to the Reds.
The day before, the Padres swung a big deal by trading for Brewers All-Star closer Josh Hader. San Diego sent pitchers Taylor Rogers, Dinelson Lamet and Robert Gasser, and outfielder Esteury Ruiz back to Milwaukee.
