Soto is set to hit free agency next year and is expected to command a lucrative contract.
The New York Yankees have acquired All-Star right fielder Juan Soto and Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham in a trade with the San Diego Padres.
The Padres made the trade to lower their payroll and acquire much-needed pitching.
This is the second blockbuster deal involving Soto in less than two years.
In a significant move in Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees have acquired All-Star right fielder Juan Soto and Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham in a trade with the San Diego Padres. The trade, which has been officially announced by the Yankees, involves several players moving to San Diego, including pitchers Michael King and Jhony Brito, minor league prospects Drew Thorpe and Randy Vásquez, and catcher Kyle Higashioka.
Soto, a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate, is known for his impressive career OPS+ of 157 and has won four consecutive Silver Slugger awards. The 25-year-old became available after the passing of Padres owner Peter Siedler and the team's reported desire to cut payroll. Soto is set to hit free agency next year and is expected to command a lucrative contract. He has one season of team control left, during which he is likely to receive a salary of around $32m.
This is the second blockbuster deal involving Soto in less than two years. The addition of Soto to the Yankees' roster complicates the team's outfield situation, as they will need to decide how to deploy Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Aaron Judge. Despite concerns about Judge's health, he has previously excelled as a center fielder.
The Padres made the trade to lower their payroll and acquire much-needed pitching. While the Yankees gave up promising players in the trade, they believe it is necessary to capitalize on their current window of contention. The Yankees are also pursuing Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, further indicating their determination to win their first World Series championship since 2009.