San Diego Padres fans have had quite the rollercoaster of emotions recently.
Reports from MLB Network indicated that the Washington Nationals were close to trading outfielder Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres. Soto, one of the biggest names in the trade market before the Tuesday deadline, turned down a massive 15-year, $440 million contract extension offer earlier in July.
In addition to Soto, the Padres were set to acquire Nationals first baseman Josh Bell, while the Nationals would receive players like Mackenzie Gore and C.J. Abrams.
However, Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer, who was also part of the trade, did not agree to waive his no-trade clause, as the Washington Nationals were on his list of restricted teams.
Soto will be eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. He has been a standout player, finishing as the runner-up in the NL Rookie of the Year race in 2018 and receiving multiple top-five finishes in NL MVP voting.
Despite Hosmer’s decision not to waive his clause, the trade involving Soto proceeded without him.
