Which teams could build the best trade package for Juan Soto?

With the seismic news of the Washington Nationals' reported willingness to entertain trade offers for star outfielder Juan Soto, we put our GM caps on and came up with five teams who might have what it takes for a landscape-shifting trade. It will be challenging for Washington to extract fair value for a generational talent like Soto, but several teams should be able to put together interesting trade offers.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers receive: Juan Soto
Nationals receive: IF/OF Gavin Lux, P Ryan Pepiot, P Bobby Miller, C Diego Cartaya, OF Andy Pages

If you thought the Dodgers couldn't build a competitive package for Soto, think again. Los Angeles continues to restock its farm system year after year, enabling it to be in the mix for blockbuster trades. These two clubs also have history, hooking up for the Trea Turner/Max Scherzer megadeal last year. Soto could slide into left field for the Dodgers, allowing some of his defensive deficiencies to be hidden.

Lux has finally put it together this season after struggling to live up to the hype in his first few campaigns. The versatile 24-year-old won't be eligible for free agency until the conclusion of the 2026 season and could be a building block for the Nationals in a post-Soto era. Pepiot made his MLB debut this season and flashed the skills that make him such an intriguing prospect. The right-hander possesses a devastating changeup to go with a decent fastball. If he can fine-tune his heater and develop his slider, Pepiot could emerge as a front-end rotation piece.

The Dodgers will also have to part with considerable prospect capital to really entice the Nationals. Miller, Pages, and Cartaya rank top-five in the Dodgers' system, according to MLB.com. Cartaya is their No. 1 prospect, but the presence of Will Smith at catcher makes him more expendable in a trade of this magnitude.

San Diego Padres

Padres receive: Juan Soto
Nationals receive: P Mackenzie Gore, IF Jake Cronenworth, OF Robert Hassell III, IF/OF C.J. Abrams, C Luis Campusano

Padres GM A.J. Preller is never one to shy away from shaking things up with a blockbuster trade. Preller has depleted the Padres' system somewhat over the past few years, but San Diego still has what it takes to be considered a real threat in the Soto sweepstakes.

Cronenworth is a little older at 28, but the versatile infielder has found his stride, making the NL All-Star team in consecutive seasons. Gore should be a big attraction for Washington. Although the rookie left-hander has fallen back after an incredible start to the season, he carries tremendous upside and could emerge as a top-of-the-rotation starter.

Hassell is the Padres' top prospect, per MLB.com. The 20-year-old outfielder is well-rounded and has shown his five-tool capabilities at Single-A this season. Abrams struggled in his first exposure to MLB pitching in 2022. Despite some early-career hiccups, the 21-year-old carries tremendous upside. Abrams has blazing speed and great defensive skills and could become Washington's shortstop for the next decade.

New York Yankees

Yankees receive: Juan Soto
Nationals receive: IF Gleyber Torres, SS Anthony Volpe, SS Oswald Peraza, OF Jasson Dominguez, P Ken Waldichuk

The Nationals should insist on the inclusion of Torres in any package for Soto. After struggling from 2020-21, the 25-year-old has rebounded to post an OPS over .800 this season. Like Soto, Torres only has two years of club control remaining, but he would be a more cost-effective extension option. Volpe, Dominguez, Peraza, and Waldichuk are all top-five prospects, according to MLB.com. Volpe, in particular, would be a difficult asset to move as he looks to be a potential 30-homer, 30-stolen base player.

Dominguez was one of the most-hyped international prospects in recent memory, and fans have visions of him hitting mammoth home runs at Yankee Stadium for years to come. Peraza is a strong defender and carries prodigious power for a shortstop. Waldichuk raised his stock over the past couple of seasons, and the 24-year-old left-hander appears ready to make his MLB debut in the near future. This offer would allow the Nationals to plug multiple holes around the diamond while also bringing in tremendous upside.

Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays receive: Juan Soto
Nationals receive: SS Bo Bichette, C Gabriel Moreno, P Ricky Tiedemann, IF Jordan Groshans, P Nate Pearson

The Blue Jays love everything about Bichette, but it's hard to see the Nationals taking any offer seriously that doesn't include the electric shortstop. The emergence of Alejandro Kirk behind the plate makes trading Moreno more palatable. Although the Nationals already have Keibert Ruiz, Moreno could eventually develop into a quality option at third base.

Tiedemann has rocketed up minor-league levels and prospect rankings in 2022. At just 19 years old, he is still early in his development, but he's looking like a potential ace in the future. Groshans has yet to showcase the power many expected when he was drafted in 2018. However, the 22-year-old possesses solid contact skills and the athleticism to emerge as a quality defensive option on the left side of the infield. Pearson has struggled to stay healthy, preventing him from delivering on his considerable talent. The soon-to-be 26-year-old carries a high level of risk but is still worth a bet to become a dominant starting pitcher.

With Soto only under club control for an additional two seasons, this deal does carry some risk. However, the Blue Jays are firmly in their window to win, and Soto would inarguably make them a better ball club - even if they eventually had to choose between signing him or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term deal.

St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals receive: Juan Soto
Nationals receive: OF Dylan Carlson, IF/OF Juan Yepez, 3B Jordan Walker, P Matthew Liberatore, SS Masyn Winn

Carlson has battled injuries this season, but the 23-year-old has already demonstrated above-average offensive skills and won't be arbitration-eligible until the conclusion of the 2023 season. Yepez doesn't carry much defensive value, but the 24-year-old looks like a quality offensive player who could be a strong middle-of-the-order bat.

Walker, 20, is a 6-foot-5 third baseman with prodigious power and decent defensive skills. The young slugger is holding his own at Double-A, posting an .878 OPS. Liberatore made his MLB debut this season, posting a 5.33 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). The left-hander has good command and the ability to throw all of his pitches with control and confidence. Winn looks like a future Gold Glover, showcasing terrific range and a strong throwing arm at shortstop, but the biggest question is how the 20-year-old's hit tool will develop.

New York Mets (Honorable mention)

Mets receive: Juan Soto
Nationals receive: P David Peterson, C Francisco Alvarez, IF/OF Brett Baty, SS Ronny Mauricio, OF Alex Ramirez

The Mets can objectively put together a competitive offer for Soto. However, the likelihood of Nationals GM Mike Rizzo shipping a transcendent star to a team within the division seems very slim. It never hurts to dream, Mets fans!