It is said that everyone admires the rising sun. The saying is as true for baseball as it is for anything else in life. In the world of Major League Baseball, if anyone’s sun has been rising as of late, it is none other than Juan Soto. The lefty has been the talk of the town ever since the news of his potential move from the San Diego Padres hit the waves. With the list of potential teams willing to sign Soto seemingly increasing every other day, it seems like there is quite an episode in our hands.

With the 25-year-old on the rise, it surely comes as no surprise. Little can be said about how the story would turn out, but as of now, three teams seem to be edging out the competition.

Teams are lining up for the Padres’ rising star, Juan Soto

Juan Soto has impressed one and all with his on-field exploits. Currently in his one-year, $23 million contract with Padres, Soto is slated to be a free agent by the end of next season. The debate is warm, and interest in the young star continues to grow. Among the top three prospective teams chasing a Soto deal are the New York Yankees, the Chicago Cubs, and the New York Mets.

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During this entire week, there has been speculation about a discussion between the Yankees and the Padres. The Bronx Bombers, coming off a forgettable season, are looking to reinforce their offense. The addition of a talent like Soto can put them back in contention once again. To top it off, the Yankees’ significant financial resources and the allure of being a New York baseball star are factors worth consideration for any young player. With possible trades involving Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Volpe, and Jasson Dominguez, it will be something to watch out for.

The Cubs, meanwhile, have also thrown their hat in the ring. Being out of the playoffs since 2020, the Cubs this year exceeded expectations but still ended up one game short of a wild card spot with a middling 83-79 record. With the addition of Soto, the Cubbies will look to taper over their flaws.

Meanwhile, the Mets can be another prospective destination for the Dominican outfielder. The Mets have had a disappointing 75-87 win season in 2023. But the team with over 100 wins the year prior has great potential to repeat the same in 2024. Moreover, the Mets, quite like the Yankees, have deep pockets and a name that demands attention. Furthermore, Soto’s addition to the squad, along with an impressive Pete Alonso, will make for an enviable offense. But there remains a very pertinent question.

Why are the Padres letting go of Soto?

The San Diego Padres are in a pickle. As better sense dictates, they would not want to let go of a name like Juan Soto. The Santo Domingo native has been impressive the entirety of last season, with 35 home runs to his credit. To top that, the former Nationals’ star drove in an impressive 109 runs and recorded 132 walks, which was the most of the year.

But in spite of that, the Padres management is finding it tough to retain the sought-after hitter. With Soto’s $23 million contract expected to hit at least $30 million this year, the Padres find themselves in a financial crunch. The Padres have a lot of holes to fill before the next season and could use the money for that purpose. The management, despite being reluctant to sell off their key man, understands the predicament they are in.

According to MLB.com, when asked about the Juan Soto situation, Padres general manager AJ Preller said, “We’ve never been a group that says no to anything. I wouldn’t read into that. That’s just kind of the way we operate.” While the response seems realistic, the Padres do realize how parting ways with Soto will weaken their team to the point where the championship could seem like a distant dream. But keeping him would blow their budget, and they would also have to let go of some other key players, which is again a heavy blow to their chances.

Not the first time a Juan Soto deal has been in the news

Juan Soto might be young, but he is not a stranger to MLB trades. It was only last year that the Washington Nationals star refused the 15-year contract from his team worth a staggering $440 million. With that refusal, everyone’s eyes were on where Soto would land next. The San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, and LA Dodgers were considered among the front runners. And as it turned out, the Padres were the ones coming out on top.

“He Reminds Me a Lot Of…”- Juan Soto Earns Comparisons to MLB Legend From Veteran San Diego Padres Teammate

With the role reversed this time around, it is the Padres who are when they might have to part with their brightest prospect. With teams in the race for a piece of the young megastar, it will be interesting to see where Juan Soto will land.

Watch The Story-Yankees Fans Eagerly Await Juan Soto Willing To Sacrifice For His Arrival In New York