When a player like Juan Soto become available… well, they almost never do. The Giants, and the rest of MLB, are dealing with the fallout of one of the most substantial pieces of news in recent trade market history.
Soto, at age 23, turned down a reported 14-year, $440 million deal from the Washington Nationals according to Ken Rosenthal. The organization is now reportedly listening to trade offers, which will surely be outrageous for a player of his stature and age.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser joined KNBR on Monday to discuss the situation, and who would be on the table for the Giants if they tried to swing for Soto.
Slusser pointed out that the Giants have the ability to take on a bad contract “or two,” as a sweetener, with the Nationals likely wanting to get rid of the likes of Patrick Corbin, who has another two years and $59 million remaining on his deal after this season.
But should San Francisco try to make a move?
“If I’m the Giants I am all in on Soto right now, why not? I mean, he’s a generational talent and there aren’t too many times you can acquire one,” Slusser said. “They’ve certainly got the financial resources and they could certainly spend a few top prospects to do it. Now if it takes Logan Webb… I don’t know. Maybe I think twice about that.”
That’s the question. How far does a team go to acquire Soto and who do they have to give up?
Would the Giants be willing to part with young, proven assets like Logan Webb? Slusser thinks he’s maybe the only name that shouldn’t be on the table.
“I don’t think there’s anybody on any team that’s untouchable when you’re talking about a talent like Juan Soto and probably shouldn’t be,” Slusser said. “It’s just a matter of degree, right? Like if we throw in an extra can’t-miss type top prospect can we maybe not take somebody off the big league roster or not Logan Webb et cetera. But if I’m the Giants I’m certainly open to listening about Joey Bart or Luis Gonzalez, people like that. Probably not Logan Webb.”
At 23-years-old, Soto is arguably the best hitter in baseball. He has a career slash line of .293/.427/.541 and finished second in MVP voting in 2021. Soto also led the Nationals to a World Series championship in 2019.
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