Jul 6, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto (22) gestures after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Superstar outfielder Juan Soto’s recent move from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres sent shockwaves around Major League Baseball.
The Nationals made Soto available in July after declining a 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer.
The Padres also acquired first baseman Josh Bell in the deal, with a six-player package topped by Mackenzie Gore and Robert Hassell III heading to Washington.
Since making his MLB debut during the 2018 season, Soto has emerged as one of the best hitters in professional baseball.
The two-time All-Star was part of the Nationals’ 2019 World Series roster and has been widely tipped to be a future Hall of Famer.
Joel Bautista is amongst a raft of MLB legends who have been signing Soto’s praises. In a recent interview with MLB lines site Betway, he tipped the 23-year-old for big things.
“I just don’t see how he doesn’t get into the Hall of Fame already,” he said. “He’s had that good of a start to his career, and he’s on the path, for sure, to accomplish at least that.
“He might end up in the top 20 players if he keeps going the way he’s going. Hopefully health stays in his corner and he can have a lengthy career where he can go in and out every year and do what he’s capable of doing.”
Soto’s departure is the latest in a long line of top talent to exit the Nationals and comes at a time when the franchise is engulfed by takeover talk.
Mark Lerner is expected to complete a sale to new ownership during the off-season, marking the end of a 16-year link with his family.
While the decision to trade Soto took many respected pundits by surprise, the Nationals undoubtedly had one eye on the future when agreeing the deal.
Five of the six players they acquired are aged 23 or under, and they are expected to develop into top-rated talents over the next few years.
Gore and CJ Abrams debuted in San Diego this season after ranking among the sport’s elite minor leaguers, while Hassell III and Wood are both top 100 prospects according to MLB.com.
Jarlin Susana was considered the best pitcher available in the 2021/22 international free agent class. He has a big fastball and a promising breaking ball.
Although the Nationals have given up one of the biggest stars in the MLB, the players they have acquired should help to deliver a brighter future.
Despite this, Bautista is hopeful that Soto will reunite with the Nationals further down the line and lead the team to glory.
“It was surprising to see the Nationals reboot that profoundly with all the trades they did last year, and all the ones that they’ve done this year,” added Bautista.
“Being in that market, having deep enough pockets to just reset or reshuffle their deck, I didn’t think they were doing it to such an extent where they would consider getting rid of a franchise icon and cornerstone like Soto.
“I would still love to see him finish his career as a National with a few championships there.”