Approaching the final hours before the MLB Trade Deadline, the Washington Nationals reached an agreement to send Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres for a ton of great prospects.
For the San Diego Padres it’s simple — they want to win now and have created a big four in their lineup with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and now Soto and Bell. For the Washington Nationals, the rebuilding process has been expedited.
First reported by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, this blockbuster trade is still pending final details, but on the surface it is a done deal. Padres receive Soto and Bell, but the Nationals will receive six prospects in return. According to Jeff Passan, the Nationals will receive LHP MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell Jr., SS C.J. Abrams, OF James Wood, RHP Jarlin Susana, and one more prospect to be named.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching Abrams, Gore, and Hassell Jr. in person during their tenures with the Fort Wayne TinCaps. For the Padres this season, Gore has been pretty solid. Especially, for it being his first full season in the big leagues. Gore has posted a 4-4 record, 4.50 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and has recorded 72 strikeouts.
At just 21 years old, Abrams has a tremendous upside and has some room to grow. He’s appeared in 46 games this season for San Diego and has a .232 average, two home runs, and 29 hits in 125 at-bats. Abrams’ strength is definitely on defense, but has shown some signs of improvement with his approach at the plate.
Furthermore, Hassell Jr. is a stud. This kid is the complete package and will be an everyday starter for the Nationals in the future. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Hassell Jr. with the TinCaps this season, and he has been sensational to watch. Honestly, watching him reminded me of watching Tatis Jr. While watching Tatis Jr., I knew he wouldn’t last long at that level, and I felt the same when watching Hassell Jr.
Hassell hammer!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 8, 2022
No. 1 @Padres prospect Robert Hassell III swats a game-tying homer for the @TinCaps: pic.twitter.com/KMflx9jxQC
"It's super sick." @Padres no. 1 prospect Robert Hassell III (@robert_hassell3) talks about being picked for the 2⃣0⃣2⃣2⃣ MLB Futures Game, a goal he's been working toward for the last few years. @PadresProspects @billcenter @madfriars @EVT_News @MLBPipeline @TinCaps pic.twitter.com/9HY2Ufbmit
— Glenn Marini (@GlennMariniWANE) July 6, 2022
Although, Wood was never seen in Fort Wayne, there are people that are high on him as a future major leaguer as well. Wood had been tearing it up in the minors posting an impressive .337 batting average, 10 home runs and 45 RBI.
Losing Robert Hassell III is big for the Padres, but I think James Wood is going to be a stud. Check out his line in his short Minor League career so far. Sad we never saw him in Fort Wayne. pic.twitter.com/otqwCssDGH
— Justin Prince (@JPrinceFOX55) August 2, 2022
The rebuilding begins in Washington, and this is likely the best deal they could have gotten. Especially, between the three teams (Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals) who were the most aggressive to get Soto. Obviously, you hate to see players like Soto and Bell go if you’re Washington, but they’re the worst team in baseball and have shown zero improvement or signs of progressing. This deal brings some excitement to the Nationals’ farm system and to their future in the big leagues.
Note: We will have more information on the deal as it becomes available