The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a deal to send star outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres, MLB Network’s John Morosi reports.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Nationals will get shortstop C.J. Abrams, outfielders Robert Hassel III and James Wood, lefty Mackenzie Gore, righty Jarlin Susanna and one other big leaguer in the deal. Hassell III is San Diego’s top prospect.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer has been informed that he is in the deal, but there is a no-trade clause. Heyman says the belief is he’ll be fine.
Soto became the best player on the market when he reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million deal to stay with the league-worst Nationals last month.
The Padres (58-46), who have never won a World Series, currently hold the second wild card spot in the National League.
The 23-year-old Dominican was an All-Star the past two years and helped the Nationals win the 2019 World Series.
Soto also won the Home Run Derby at the 2022 All-Star Game in Los Angeles last month.
Soto is slashing .246/.408/485 with 21 homers, 46 RBI, 91 walks and 62 strikeouts this year.
In what will likely be his final game with the Nationals, Soto hit a home run Monday against Max Scherzer of the New York Mets.
For his career, Soto is slashing .291/.427/.538.
Bell, a pending unrestricted free agent, is slashing .301/.384/.493 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI this season.
The Nationals acquired Bell in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the 2021 season.
Bell was a 2019 All-Star with Pittsburgh.
Since breaking into the majors in 2016, Bell has slashed .266/.353/.471 with 127 homers and 454 RBI.
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