Report: Padres expected to approach Soto, Hader about extensions

The San Diego Padres are expected to reach out soon to superstar outfielder Juan Soto and All-Star closer Josh Hader about contract extensions, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

"We're open to talking, we're just waiting," Soto said.

The 24-year-old is arbitration-eligible through the 2024 campaign. He reportedly rejected a 15-year, $440-million offer last July when he played for the Washington Nationals.

Soto's agent, Scott Boras, is impressed the Padres have been able to construct a star-studded core that also includes Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Xander Bogaerts.

"It's very rare that a team can put together a group of players in the primes of their careers, or close to the prime, where there are four players at this level," Boras said. "For the Padres, they've moved a mountain to San Diego. And it's called Mt. Crushmore."

Meanwhile, Hader, who can test free agency after this season, is also intrigued by the idea of signing a new deal to stay in San Diego.

"If it's a conversation they want to have, we'll definitely have it," the left-hander said.

San Diego has already signed Machado, Bogaerts, Tatis, Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove to long-term contracts worth over a combined $1.17 billion since February 2021.