It’s the deal that’s been buzzed about for what feels like all of Wednesday at the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings: Juan Soto is on his way from the San Diego Padres — who JUST traded for the young slugger in 2022! — to the New York Yankees, where the outfielder will presumably hit so many home runs as a lefty in that ballpark.
It makes sense for both teams when you think about it. But if you’re here, you’re probably wondering: Who won this deal between the two teams with massive payrolls? We have answers. Here are the grades for both the Yankees and Padres:
The details
Per the New York Post’s Joel Sherman:
The Yankees get: OF Juan Soto and OF Trent Grisham
The Padres get: RP Michael King, P Drew Thorpe, P Jhony Brito, P Randy Vasquez and C Kyle Higashioka
Like @JackCurryYES heard Yankees return package for Soto/Grisham if the deal is completed: is this the accurate return: King, Thorpe, Brito, Vasquez, Higashioka?
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 6, 2023
New York Yankees
After what we saw last season, it was certain the Yankees needed a big bat to pair with Aaron Judge. They got one for next to nothing, without losing one of their top prospects like Spencer Jones, Jasson Dominguez or Everson Pereira.
What’s more: They got a 25-year-old very much in the prime of his career, who’s due for a huge new contract next year. And you know that the Yankees can very much afford to give Soto the kind of contract he deserves.
Oh, and Grisham can be useful even if he hit under .200 last season.
So, yes. The Yankees absolutely won here.
GRADE: A
San Diego Padres
Calling this a big win for the Yankees doesn’t mean that it’s a HUGE loss for the Padres. Getting a top reliever like King for a team that’s a potential contender is a great move. Stocking up with some young pitching is helpful to a franchise that needs it.
But … shouldn’t Soto — even a star who has a year left on his contract, which drives down his value a bit — fetch more? In that case, it’s not the best of trades.
GRADE: C+
