Juan Soto is actually a San Diego Padre…

Many would’ve laughed at the idea of the Nationals trading away Juan Soto at just 23 years old but when the superstar declined the Nationals 15 year $440 million extension, they had no choice but to shop him. Many teams were interested but it was narrowed down to the Padres, Dodgers, and Cardinals over the last days before the deadline. The Padres were the ones that pulled off the deal of a lifetime and the Nationals certainly got a huge haul.

San Diego Padres Acquire:

OF Juan Soto

1B Josh Bell

For slam diego

Everyone knows what the Padres are getting here. A future Hall of Famer. Not to mention they also get Josh Bell who has been an elite hitter this year and provides immediate power to the Padres lineup. Juan Soto has been having a “down” year in 2022, still putting up a .249/.410/.491 slash line with a 153 wRC+. He should see a lot better pitching in this lineup hitting in between Tatis and Machado, how can you not be excited to watch this team. He is a generational talent that will be with the team for the rest of this year, 2023 and 2024. If Soto signs an extension with San Diego is for another conversation but at the very least two more years of Juan Soto after this year is huge. No matter the cost you have to go out and do this if the Nationals are making him available. Big applause to AJ Preller and the Padres for getting it done.

Washington Nationals Acquire:

LHP MacKenzie Gore

SS CJ Abrams

1B Luke Voit

OF Robert Hassell III (1)

OF James Wood (3)

RHP Jarlin Susana (14)

For Washington

This is an absolute haul coming back to DC. I’ve heard people saying this is not enough for Soto and that they should have got more. I can’t see how that is possible when this is the biggest package in MLB history. No matter if these guys work out and become stars, at the time of this trade this is the best the Nationals could have gotten. If that wasn’t true, then they would have gotten better. This is a huge amount of young talent coming back to add to a group of young players that already includes Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Cade Cavalli, Luis García, etc. The other teams involved just weren’t willing to put as much talent on the table as the Padres and that’s why they have Juan Soto.

Let's individually take a look at each prospect (and Luke Voit) coming back to Washington.

LHP MacKenzie Gore

HT: 6’2

WT: 197

Age: 23

2022 Stats (MLB):

70 IP, 13 GS, 4.50 ERA, 11.3 K-BB%, 4.43 SIERA, 4.12 FIP, 0.8 WAR

2022 Stats (AAA):

5 IP, 1 GS, 0.00 ERA, 43.8 K-BB%, 1.10 FIP

MacKenzie Gore can be a top of the rotation guy for years if he can stay healthy. The Nationals medical staff reviewed his injury and gave GM Mike Rizzo the go to trade for him per reports. He showed his stuff at the major league level this year and wasn’t great by any means but showed a lot of good signs and some bad ones as expected from any young pitcher. With that said he has been one of the best left handed pitching prospects in baseball ever since he got drafted. He will have an opportunity to be a top of the rotation guy and building block for the Nationals if he performs to his potential.

SS CJ Abrams

HT: 6’2

WT: 185

Age: 21

2022 Stats (MLB):

139 PA, .232/.285/.320, 75 wRC+, 2.9 BB%, 19.4 K%, -0.1 WAR

2022 Stats (AAA):

151 PA, .314/.364/.507, 116 wRC+, 5.3 BB%, 16.6 K%

Abrams is similar to Gore in the aspect that he is another guy who has been a top prospect for years. He got a small dose of the bigs this year and didn’t perform great but he is still only 21 years old. He has hit very well in his minor league career. Like many other young players he has some holes like his lack of power which scouts think will develop over time and his inability to draw walks, something he definitely has to work on. His great contact skills and elite speed are what interests the Nationals here. They are getting a great shortstop prospect here with tons of potential and prospect pedigree.

OF Robert Hassell III

HT: 6’2

WT: 195

Age: 20

(#1 prospect in Padres system, #21 prospect in Baseball per MLB.com)

2022 Stats (High A):

346 PA, .299/.379/.467, 134 wRC+, 11.0 BB%, 19.1 K%

Robert Hassell III has the tools to become a five tool player in the big leagues. He might not be a top 10 player in baseball but he most certainly can be a big piece in a future Nationals lineup. Plus contact skills, a sweet left handed swing that drives the ball up the middle and into left field, above average power, and speed. He isn’t a slouch in the field either, scouts suspect he can remain in center field during his major league career. If a move to the corner is required, he has a plus arm so that would not be an issue. Only reached high A ball with the Padres but hit very well. He has hit everywhere he has played and at 20 years old he is just getting started.

OF James Wood

HT: 6’7

WT: 240

Age: 19

(#3 prospect in Padres system, #88 prospect in Baseball, per MLB.com)

2022 Stats (A):

236 PA, .337/.453/.601, 171 wRC+, 15.7 BB%, 17.8 K%

James Wood is my favorite prospect coming back to Washington. Though he is only 19 years old and one of the furthest away from the majors, he projects to be a star. Like Hassell, another possible five tool player with Wood. Some scouts have said his raw power is among the best of anyone in the minor leagues. He can run, he can play great defense, he can hit for average, get on base, and he’s six foot seven. In his first game with the Nationals minor league affiliate, he went 4-6 with a home run, three RBI’s, and a stolen base. Still a long way to go before we see but could be a major piece for the Nationals down the line.

RHP Jarlin Susana

HT: 6’6

WT: 235

Age: 18

(#14 prospect in the Padres system)

2022 Stats (Rookie Ball):

29.1 IP, 7 GS, 2.45 ERA, 29.7 K-BB%, 3.20 FIP

From what I have heard, the Nationals included Josh Bell in this deal just so they could get this guy back. They must really like him and they have plenty of reasons for that. Before being signed by the Padres in early 2022, Susana was the top ranked pitcher in the international class. Scouts love his pitch mix headed by a fastball that sits upper 90’s and has touched triple digits. The 18 year old already ranks as the Nationals 8th prospect after the trade. He has put up great numbers so far in his first professional season and though it might not be for a while, Susana can be a great arm for the Nats rotation down the line.

1B Luke Voit

HT: 6’3

WT: 255

Age: 31

2022 Stats (MLB):

347 PA, .229/.320/.419, 110 wRC+, 11.2 BB%, 32.0 K%, 0.5 WAR

Even though Luke Voit himself might not be thrilled, I like getting him in this deal. With all the young talent on this team, a nice veteran presence like Voit might be good for the clubhouse. Voit is handling the situation very professionally and seems to be making the most out of it. Voit is under contract for the 2023 and 2024 season so the Nationals could look to trade him in the offseason. Depending on how the rest of this season goes maybe they keep him around because they are going to need someone in this lineup to produce through this rebuild. Could be a great chance for Voit to become a leader and help develop all the young talent in Washington.

final thoughts

I think both teams did great here. Obviously I would have to say the Padres won the trade but, you can’t fault Mike Rizzo and the Nationals. They were in a tough spot, they made the most of it and got a lot of young talent for the future to make their farm system go from decent to one of the best in just one transaction. As for AJ Preller and the Padres, all I can say is I can’t wait for October in Slam Diego.