The San Diego Padres have already made one major splash ahead of the trade deadline, and it looks like they have their sights set on another.
The Padres are gaining momentum in talks with the Washington Nationals about a potential Juan Soto trade, sources told The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga.
San Diego is also apparently interested in acquiring first baseman Josh Bell in the same deal, Svrluga adds.
Padres and Nats are talking about a package of both Juan Soto and Josh Bell and word is they are being aggressive. @barrysvrluga suggested there's momentum
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 2, 2022
Padres executive A.J. Preller is one of baseball's most assertive general managers, as his acquisition of closer Josh Hader on Monday and previous years of acquiring star-studded talent prove.
Preller managed to bring in Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers without trading any of the organization's top prospects, meaning San Diego has the necessary talent pool to land Soto.
Mackenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, James Wood, and Jackson Merrill are some of the Padres' young sought-after talent.
A potential Soto trade has dominated the rumor mill since the 23-year-old reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440-million extension from the Nationals.
Soto is a generational talent who has been one of MLB's most productive hitters since he debuted as a 19-year-old in 2018.
The two-time Silver Slugger has slashed .291/.427/.537 with 118 home runs, 108 doubles, 460 walks, and 357 RBIs in five seasons.
Soto, who's won a batting title, Home Run Derby, and a World Series, isn't eligible for free agency until 2025.
Meanwhile, Bell is putting up a strong campaign for the Nationals. The 29-year-old slugger owns a .301/.384/.493 slash line with 14 homers, 24 doubles, and 57 RBIs in 103 games, and his 152 OPS+ is a career high.
Bell's eligible for free agency at the end of this season.
