(670 The Score) As they prepare for what they intend to be an active offseason, the Cubs will be involved in the trade sweepstakes for Padres star outfielder Juan Soto, sources told 670 The Score.
The GM Meetings that officially open on Nov. 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona will start the discussions of wheeling and dealing that come every offseason as teams look to improve their rosters. After going 83-79 and barely missing out on a wild-card berth in the 2023 season, the Cubs want to add a big bat to the middle of their lineup.
The 25-year-old Soto, a three-time All-Star, could be a high-profile addition for any team that’s willing to meet the Padres’ price. The reason the Padres will listen to trade offers on him is because they’re looking to pare down their large payroll after a disappointing 82-80 campaign and want to add younger talent with more contract control. As Soto has just one season left on his contract before he’s set to hit free agency, moving him is perhaps the best way to do that.
Soto made $23 million in 2023 and is projected to make $33 million in 2024, according to MLB Trade Rumors, as he's arbitration-eligible.
Soto hit .275 with 35 homers, 109 RBIs and a .930 OPS while playing all 162 games for the Padres in 2023. He has been one of the best players in MLB and has become one of the most accomplished young hitters in MLB history since debuting for the Nationals in 2018. In his six-year MLB career, Soto has hit .284 with a .946 OPS and 157 OPS+.
He has been an All-Star in each of the past three seasons and was the National League MVP runner-up in 2021. Soto has a career .421 on-base percentage, which ranks 19th in MLB history and trails only Barry Bonds among players of recent generations.
The question quickly becomes this: What would the Cubs need to give up to get Soto? Numerous opposing teams have asked about 24-year-old utilityman Christopher Morel, who hit 26 homers and posted an .821 OPS in 107 games in 2023. Morel is under team control through 2028 and isn’t arbitration-eligible until the 2026 season. The Padres are high on Morel, sources said.
The Cubs also have the prospect capital in their strong farm system that could be needed to potentially acquire Soto. There’s also a thought around MLB that the Padres will absorb part of Soto’s salary in 2024 if they receive enough young talent in return.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.