Juan Soto Trade Rumors: Padres 'Listening' on Star, Yankees Haven't Reached Out

The San Diego Padres want to be buyers at the trade deadline. In case they aren't, they are "now listening" to trade talks involving star outfielder Juan Soto, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

As of Thursday afternoon, the New York Yankees had not contacted the Padres about a possible deal for Soto, Heyman reported.

The Yankees sit 2.5 games back of an AL Wild Card spot and have been needing outfield help in the nearly two-month absence of captain Aaron Judge, who could make his return Friday.

Soto agreed to a one-year, $23-million deal with the Padres in January to avoid arbitration. He is set for one more arbitration round next season before becoming a UFA in 2025. Heyman estimated his chances of being traded at "10 percent."

Soto arrived in San Diego following a trade with the Washington Nationals in 2022. This season, he is slashing .262/.417/.501 through 103 games, hitting 20 home runs and earning an NL-leading 95 walks.

With just days left until the trade deadline, the Padres sit 6.5 games back of the last NL Wild Card spot, vying with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs for the position.

The Padres want to bet on themselves after making their blockbuster trade for Soto last year, but making up that lost ground in the playoff race will be a steep climb for a team that, through 103 games, has not won more than three in a row. Even the 28-76 Oakland Athletics have been able to string together seven straight, NBC San Diego's Derek Togerson pointed out.

Still, San Diego might want to hold on to Soto as long as they can after giving up five prospects to acquire the 24-year-old star last year.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported in 2022 that Soto had rejected a 15-year, $440-million offer from the Washington Nationals that would have made him the highest-paid MLB player in history.

If the Padres decide the club can't afford to top that, they at least have one more year of control over Soto's contract through arbitration. Even if this year's shot at the playoffs seems like a long one, San Diego might want to keep Soto around for at least part of the 2024 campaign.