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It’s been nearly a week since it was reported that Juan Soto is on the trade market, and the top suitors for the superstar are coming into focus. One American League team stands out as a realistic trade partner for the Washington Nationals.
The Toronto Blue Jays are among a handful of teams that are most invested in trying to trade for Soto, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on “Get Up” Thursday morning. Soto would provide the Blue Jays with a much-needed left-handed bat in the middle of their lineup.
The Blue Jays showed that they have a sense of urgency in trying to win a championship by firing manager Charlie Montoyo halfway through the 2022 MLB season, despite being in the American League playoff picture. Toronto exits the All-Star break with a 50-43 record and in third place in the AL wild-card standings.
On Opening Day, the Blue Jays were the betting favorites to win the AL East. Toronto is virtually out of the divisional race, trailing the New York Yankees by 14.5 games.
Toronto has a top-10 offense, but the lineup has been somewhat of a disappointment. The Blue Jays were third in runs scored and first in home runs last season. Toronto ranks ninth and sixth, respectively, in those two categories.
Reigning AL MVP runner-up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the Blue Jays with 20 home runs and 57 RBI. All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk is first on the team with a .882 OPS.
Toronto’s lineup has been weakened by the loss of Marcus Semien, who hit 45 home runs for the Blue Jays in 2021. Third baseman Matt Chapman, the team’s big offseason addition, is hitting .227 with 15 home runs.
Adding Soto could turn Toronto’s lineup from good to great. Soto leads MLB in walks. He’s hitting .250/.405/.497 with little protection around him in Washington’s lineup.
Soto was the 2021 NL MVP runner-up with 29 home runs and a .999 OPS. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Soto led the NL in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
Soto won the 2022 Home Run Derby.
In order for Washington to send Soto to Toronto, the Blue Jays will have to offer the Nationals one of the most impressive trade packages in MLB history. It will likely take top prospects and Major-league ready players to acquire Soto.
The San Diego Padres are also considered to be a top suitor for Soto.
Photo: Getty Images | Brett Davis
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