New York Yankees trade rumors: What it could cost to land Juan Soto
What would it take for the New York Yankees to land Juan Soto in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Nationals? One MLB insider has thrown out a package of players that he thinks might just bring the superstar outfielder to the Bronx.
New York Yankees trade rumors: These are the players that the Washington Nationals could want in a deal for Juan Soto
For an article in The Athletic (subscription required), former MLB general manager Jim Bowden details exactly which New York Yankees players and prospects might be required to move in order to make the dream of Soto wearing pinstripes a reality. According to Bowden, that list could include some names that Yankees fans might cringe at reading.
On Bowden’s potential trade list are, “… shortstop Anthony Volpe, outfielder Jasson Domínguez and left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk plus a major leaguer or two at the level of right-hander Michael King will be the ballpark asking price.”
Volpe is currently ranked by MLB.com as New York’s top prospect while Domínguez is ranked third and Waldichuk, a left-hander currently in Triple-A, is fifth. King, meanwhile, has appeared in 32 games for the Yankees this season and the 27-year-old has a 2.19 ERA/0.95 WHIP in 49.1 innings as opposing batters are hitting .184 against him. That gives an idea of what kind of MLB talent might also be expected.
While the addition of Soto to the Yankees makes sense, especially with the fluid status of Aaron Judge returning to the Bronx past the end of this season, there would certainly still be hurdles to overcome on a financial side to make the deal a reality as well. Those hurdles include the Nationals, according to Bowden, wanting whichever team takes Soto to also take on the massive contract of pitcher Patrick Corbin, who is slated to make $23 million this season, as well as $24 million in 2023 and a whopping $35 million in 2024.
All of that for a pitcher who has posted a 5.84 ERA over his past 50 starts, including a 5.87 ERA in 19 starts this year.
The Nationals are in no hurry to move Soto as he is not scheduled to be a free agent until the 2025 campaign. However, if the Yankees or another team were to come to Washington with a massive offer, the Nationals have made it clear they will listen.
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Make no mistake about it, the asking price will be high for any team (including the Yankees) to land Soto in a trade. With the unknown status of Judge, would you make this trade for Soto if you were Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, knowing the financial and personnel costs? Let us know in the comments section below.