Media by Associated Press: National League’s Juan Soto, of the Washington Nationals, left, gets a hug from San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado during the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby, Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The San Diego Padres are the winners of the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Soto, 23, fell out of favor with the Washington Nationals after declining a contract extension of over $400 million dollars. Instead, the Nationals decided to ship Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the Padres for a package of five prospects.
Soto, who became the second-youngest player to win the Home Run Derby last season, is batting .246 this season with 21 home runs and 46 RBI. Bell is also a productive bat with some pop. This season, Bell is hitting .301 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI.
In exchange for Soto and Bell, Washington acquired SS C.J. Abrams, SP Mackenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, OF James Wood, and RHP Jarlin Susana. First baseman Eric Hosmer, who’s in the fifth year of an eight-year pact with San Diego, was originally in the package as well but refused to waive his 10-team no-trade clause.
San Diego is currently the second Wild Card team in the National League, sitting behind the Atlanta Braves. In the NL West, the Padres sit 12 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, San Diego will get another shot in the arm when superstar infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. returns.
Baltimore fire sale continues
The Baltimore Orioles have been outperforming all expectations but are still selling off assets before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Baltimore sent All-Star closer Jorge Lopez to the Minnesota Twins in a five-player deal.
Baltimore will receive four players in return from the Twins, including left-handed pitchers Cade Povich and Juan Rojas, along with right-handers Yennier Cano and Juan Nunez. Lopez, 29, is having his best season as a pro with Baltimore. In 44 appearances, Lopez has a 1.68 ERA with 19 saves.
Baltimore also dealt longtime DH Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros. Mancini was hitting .268 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI in 2022.
Can you ship my stuff here?
Christian Vazquez found out he was being dealt from the Boston Red Sox to the Houston Astros before Monday’s game at Minute Maid Park. The Red Sox received a package of minor leaguers in exchange for the veteran catcher, who immediately faced his former team. During this season, Vazquez batted .282 for the Red Sox.
Cardinals raid divisional rival
As they push for a playoff spot, the St. Louis Cardinals made a deal for left-handed starting pitcher Jose Quintana. Quintana has been a bright spot for the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates, going 3-5 with a 3.50 ERA. He also has 89 strikeouts across 20 starts.
The Cards hope Quintana can be a solid veteran arm in a rotation that has fallen short of expectations.
Keeping their own
Among all the trades across baseball, Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley committed to a 10-year, $212 million contract extension. Riley will now be signed with the Braves through the 2032 season and have a $20 million option for 2033. Strong play this season helped Riley earn the deal, with the MVP candidate hitting .301 with 29 home runs and 68 RBI.
During July, Riley claimed a piece of Braves’ history. The infielder connected on 26 extra-base hits, which snapped a 60-year-old record. Eleven of those extra-base hits were home runs.
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