The Washington Nationals have officially ripped the band-aid off of the open wound that is their saga with star outfielder Juan Soto.
The team was able to pull off a trade of Soto just before the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline on Tuesday, sending the two-time All-Star and first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres.
In exchange, the Nationals acquired five prospects from the Padres - shortstop C.J. Abrams, left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, outfielders Robert Hassell III and James Woods, and right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana - as well as first baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit.
It was originally reported that Nationals were also set to acquire 32-year-old first baseman Eric Hosmer as part of the deal, but the veteran had a no-trade clause in his deal and rejected his involvement in the deal. He eventually went on to accept a trade to the Boston Red Sox before the MLB Trade Deadline.
Soto shocked the baseball world in July by rejecting a 15-year, $440 million extension offer from the Nationals, which would have made him the highest-paid player in MLB history. Soto still has more than two seasons of control before hitting free agency following the 2024 season.
