Padres 'can be counted out' of race for $500 million free agent per Insider

The San Diego Padres season ended when they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. They should be active in free agency in an attempt to get over the hump.

While outlining the Padres offseason, MLB Insider Robert Murray noted the Padres would be aggressive in free agency, but should be counted out of the running for Juan Soto of the New York Yankees.

"A reunion with Juan Soto is about the only thing that can be counted out. After that, with Preller, ruling him out of anything would seem to be unwise," wrote Murray. "He loves the big game hunting and whether it’s in free agency or trade, you can expect him to be aggressive – and the starting rotation would seem to be the best bet for that this winter."

It is not surprising the Padres will not pursue a reunion with Juan Soto. After all, the team traded him to the Yankees last offseason.

Soto's price tag has steadily risen every season. Perhaps he was never going to sign an extension and wait for free agency, but the Padres likely would have kept him around if they had an intention of signing him long-term. Spotrac projects Soto to sign a 14-year, $513 million deal in free agency.

Soto spent half of the 2022 season and all of the 2023 season with the Padres. He was named an All-Star in 2023 with the team. He had 41 home runs with the Padres in 214 games.

The Yankees should be rightfully considered favorites to sign Soto to a massive deal. He is already in their clubhouse and all indications are he enjoys being a Yankee. If not the Yankees, the New York Mets will be the biggest contender.

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