Deal or no deal? Preller talks Soto's future at GM Meetings

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Among the major talking points at this week’s General Managers Meetings at the Omni Resort and Spa in Scottsdale: Where does Juan Soto play next season?

It’s a question that conveniently ignores the fact that Soto is currently under contract in San Diego -- and that the Padres are very, very happy to have him.

"We really like our position player group," said GM A.J. Preller. "Juan is obviously a tremendous offensive force, a big part of our club. I think we saw last year, as the season went on, the impact he had on our lineup.

"For us, the first order of business as we get to the offseason is: We'll be looking at the pitching front."

It was one of many occasions during his 45-minute media availability where Preller tried steering the conversation away from the possibility of a Soto trade. And yet, inevitably, the conversation worked its way right back to the Padres superstar left fielder.

That's only natural, of course. At 25, Soto already looks like a future Hall of Famer, and he's coming off yet another brilliant season, one year before he hits free agency. Preller, though, has not entirely ruled out the possibility of trading Soto this winter, and on Wednesday, he again left that door open.

"We're always a group that listens on any scenario," Preller said. "But again, winning a championship, putting a big-time lineup [on the field] -- Juan Soto is a huge factor in that. We understand that."

First things first: The Padres aren't trading Soto anytime soon. Preller has said on numerous occasions that the team would first engage in discussions with Soto's agent Scott Boras about a potential long-term extension. It's unclear whether those discussions have earnestly begun, but the two sides have certainly talked.

Boras, speaking with the media Wednesday morning prior to Preller's session, indicated that he envisions Soto in San Diego next season.

"Met with the Padres, they laid out their plan for next year which obviously included a lineup that definitely includes Juan Soto," he said. "He’s their one .900 OPS player. They’re looking for more left-handed bats, rather than less."

Indeed, the preference of many within the Padres' organization is for Soto to remain on board in 2024 -- and perhaps beyond. Soto played all 162 games last season, hitting .275/.410/.519 with 35 homers, 32 doubles and a Major League-leading 132 walks.

But Preller also acknowledged the obvious: If the two sides can't come to an agreement on a contract extension this winter, it would change the calculus.

"Juan long-term [versus] Juan on a one-year deal, that brings different dynamics," Preller said. "We understand what that means for our roster both short-term and long-term."

At the Trade Deadline two summers ago, the Padres paid a fortune in young talent to acquire Soto from the Nationals. They reached the NLCS in 2022 but floundered in ‘23, finishing 82-80 and missing the postseason.

Now, Soto is entering a contract year. He's undeniably one of the best hitters in the sport and a player who has proven he can anchor a World Series-winning lineup.

But Soto, who made $23 million in 2023, is also due a raise as he enters his final year of arbitration. The Padres have major needs in their starting rotation and bullpen. If Soto is destined to hit the free-agent market next offseason, this offseason would be the time when Preller might feel inclined to explore the possibility of a trade.

"We'll weigh out all the different possibilities, understanding a contract year with an elite player is attractive," Preller said. "But we'll weigh that out versus what it means long term."

There would be no shortage of suitors if Preller were to suddenly make Soto available. Soto is a durable superstar in his prime, after all.

But considering that the Padres view themselves as contenders in 2024, it would take a massive haul to get them to consider trading Soto. A theoretical trade package would likely need to include several big league-ready pieces.

Which makes it worth wondering: Would any team be willing to part with that kind of capital for one season of Soto?

Preller insists that’s a question for another day.

“We're going to have conversations with Scott and his group about what it looks like long-term,” he said. “Our position-player team, we think, is very strong. Keeping that group together, adding to the pitching -- that's one plan.”

That’s one plan. The implication, of course, is that there are other plans -- perhaps even a plan that involves trading a 25-year-old superstar who was just named a finalist for his fourth All-MLB team.

It’s not the Padres’ preferred option at this point. But the offseason is young.