The prospect of the San Diego Padres trading Juan Soto might be uncertain, as of now. However, the competition among the teams that are ready to make a lunge at him keeps increasing by the day. Soto has remained the hottest trade topic in this year’s offseason free agency market, with one team heading strong in his persuasion. While the answer to the former is apparent, the Seattle Mariners unexpectedly emerge as a contender seemingly out of the blue. But this can be attributed to their recent strategic moves.

To date, the New York Yankees have been the only team deemed capable enough to snatch him away from the Friars. It seems like all of that may change now. The Seattle Mariners have taken things to the next level by making $30 million worth of wise moves. Will they emerge as the surprise victors of the Soto predicament?

The Seattle Mariners’ Sharp Moves

In a Twitter (now X) post shared today by ESPN columnist and MLB insider Jeff Passan, he revealed that the Seattle Mariners have made an arrangement with the Atlanta Braves on a trade. The M’s sent three of their players—first baseman Evan White, outfielder Jarred Kelenic, and left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzalez—to the Braves.

The team acquired minor league prospects and right-handed pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips in lieu of them. Trading the three out has cleared up about $19.75 million in payroll on the Mariners’ roster. Moreover, they have also traded third baseman Eugenio Suárez to the Arizona Diamondbacks, which has saved them a minimum of $11.2 million in payroll. 

Juan Soto has been predicted to earn around $33 million a year with his current Padres contract. Considering the $30 million surge in treasury and any future prospective trades that they already might be in the process of making, the Mariners can offer Soto his salt’s worth—and then some more.

Read More: Juan Soto Once Rejected a $440 Million Contract – By Playing Hardball, Are the Yankees Undervaluing the 25-Year-Old

Suddenly, Juan Soto’s projected salary for the next year has stopped feeling so heavy anymore, hasn’t it? On the flip side of it, one question lingers: Will Soto fit in Seattle?

Is Juan Soto set to swing for Seattle glory?

As observed by another renowned insider, Jon Heyman, in his recent tweet, the team desperately needs an at-bat and an outfielder. “Just speculating, but Soto would seem to fit Seattle after they reduced payroll and opened up LF. They have been aiming to get a bat, and need one,” wrote Heyman.

They have the required opening in their left field. They have a headstrong general manager, Justin Hollander, who is famous for making bold moves in acquisitions. Should he be bold enough, the fans can see Juan Soto playing in T-Mobile Park throughout the next year.

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