NL East

The Juan Soto sweepstakes is down to just four teams, according to Jim Bowden of CBS Sports, who noted the process is "moving along at a rapid pace."

The San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals are believed to be the front-runners for the Washington Nationals star, Bowden added. However, he noted that is "subject to change as any of the four teams still in the mix could improve their offers at any moment."

The news comes after ESPN's Jeff Passan said Friday on the Dan Patrick Show that he believes there's an 80 percent chance Soto will be moved ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.

However, Passan noted that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who is asking for "125 percent of Juan Soto's value," needs to lower his asking price, otherwise he's unsure if Soto will get moved "for now."

In addition, Passan mentioned the Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers as the "likeliest landing spots" if Rizzo drops the asking price. He also listed the Cardinals and Seattle Mariners as potential destinations.

The Nationals began taking trade calls on Soto after he rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. However, he is under team control through 2024 with two more years of arbitration eligibility, so Washington can wait for the best deal to move him, whether that be now or two years from now.

Soto is one of the best young talents in baseball and is expected to become one of the highest-paid players in the sport on his next contract.

The 23-year-old is having a solid 2022 campaign, hitting .243/.400/.480 with 20 home runs, 45 RBI and five stolen bases in 97 games. He was also named an All-Star for the second straight season and won this year's Home Run Derby.

Beyond that, he is a World Series champion, two-time Silver Slugger and won the batting title in 2020.

Any team that's interested in Soto must also be willing to take on starting pitcher Patrick Corbin in a trade package, per Bowden. The Nationals want "multiple major leaguers and top prospects" and to "offload" the remainder of Corbin's six-year, $140 million deal.

The Padres have been linked as a possible destination for Soto since it was reported that the Nationals were fielding offers for the star outfielder. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Friars are interested in pairing him with star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.

"An early favorite for Soto just might be the San Diego Padres, the former 'small' market team that’s been full of surprises and thrills the past few years under GM A.J. Preller, a young man who knows the game and loves a gamble," Heyman wrote.

San Diego hasn't been shy about acquiring star talent to help it pursue a World Series title—Eric Hosmer, Manny Machado and Mike Clevinger, to name a few—so it would be no surprise to see it land Soto.

As for the Cardinals, bringing in Soto would undoubtedly give the team an upper hand on the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race and help it make a deep playoff run. Adding him to a lineup that includes sluggers Paul Goldschmidt (.335/.417/.619) and Nolan Arenado (.296/.359/.528) could be dangerous.

ESPN's Jeff Passan believes there's an 80 percent chance that the Washington Nationals move star outfielder Juan Soto before the Tuesday no-waiver trade deadline, per comments made on the Dan Patrick Show on Friday.

"If he [Mike Rizzo] continues to stick to the ask that he's put out to teams up until this point, I'm not sure Juan Soto is going anywhere. He's been asking for 125% of Juan Soto's value."

-@JeffPassan discusses the likelihood of Juan Soto getting movedhttps://t.co/A7PJZRSpqn pic.twitter.com/Iym4QKfjBD

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) July 29, 2022

However, Passan's remarks dropped with the caveat that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has asked teams for "125 percent of Juan Soto's value," noting that he's been looking for franchises to part with "five or six tippy-top prospects from every organization he's been talking to."

If Rizzo sticks with that line of thinking, then Passan said he's not sure if Soto goes anywhere "for now."

The ESPN reporter mentioned the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers as the "likeliest landing spots" if the Nats drop their asking price down a little. He also said that the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners were in the picture.

The Nats reportedly began entertaining trade offers for Soto after he rejected the team's 15-year, $440 million contract proposal, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital reported Friday that the Nats plan to make one final offer to Soto but that they will trade him before the deadline if he does not accept.

I can confirm: The #Nationals plan to make another offer to Juan Soto, which will be their last. If Soto does not accept, he will be traded before the deadline. https://t.co/bkNzAwPDx9

— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) July 29, 2022

Soto is currently under team control through the 2024 season, but it appears his time with the team is coming to a close. His five years with the team include a 2019 World Series win, a 2021 National League MVP runner-up, a pair of All-Star appearances, two Silver Sluggers, the 2018 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up and the 2020 batting title.

That's a great effort for a 23-year-old who's on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Naturally, Rizzo will want a haul back for Soto if he can't come to terms with the star on a long-term deal to stick in town.

For the season, Soto has hit 20 home runs alongside 45 RBI and an .880 OPS.

The New York Mets are ready to make a splash on the trade market in hopes of making a deep playoff run.

The Mets are interested in trading for Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez and catcher Christian Vazquez, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, who noted Friday the team could "pivot" to the Boston duo if it finds the price for Willson Contreras and David Robertson of the Chicago Cubs to be too high.

The Red Sox are shopping Martinez, ESPN's Buster Olney (h/t Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors) reported earlier this week. It's unclear if the club is open to moving Vazquez, but he's set to become a free agent in the offseason.

Boston entered Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers fifth in the AL East with a 50-50 record. Pitchers Chris Sale, Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, James Paxton, Matt Strahm, Matt Barnes, Josh Taylor and Tyler Danish are on the injured list, as are position players Rafael Devers, Trevor Story, Christian Arroyo and Enrique Hernandez.

The Red Sox have a 26.6 percent chance to make the playoffs, per FanGraphs, so it would not be surprising if they were sellers before the deadline.

Martinez is in the final year of his contract, earning $19.4 million, which makes him a prime trade candidate. He has been a staple in the lineup since his arrival in 2018 and is hitting .293/.361/.466 in 84 games with nine home runs and 38 RBI.

While he can play the outfield, the 34-year-old is primarily a designated hitter. The Mets already acquired DH Daniel Vogelbach, but he is more of a platoon option against right-handed pitchers.

As for Vazquez, he's been one of the better offensive catchers in baseball. New York's top option right now is the defense-first Tomas Nido, who is hitting .218/.262/.251 with zero home runs and 16 RBI in 63 games.

James McCann, New York's starting catcher, is on the 10-day injured list with a strained oblique. Acquiring Vazquez from Boston would add some stability to the position down the stretch.

Vazquez has spent his eight-year career with Boston and is hitting .277/.321/.426 with eight home runs and 40 RBI in 81 games.

The Mets stand first in the National League East with a 61-37 record and are trying to hold off the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves (59-41).

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to add to their rotation ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, and one AL Central pitcher has piqued their interest.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Zach Plesac "is on the radar of the Phillies," according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Plesac, who has a $2 million salary this season, is under team control through the 2025 campaign with three more years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent.

The 27-year-old has spent the first four years of his career with the Guardians and has been a decent mid-rotation pitcher for the franchise. In 18 starts this season, he is 2-8 with a 4.09 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 99 innings.

However, it's unclear if the Guardians are interested in moving the righty this summer. Cleveland is second in the AL Central with a 50-48 record, just two games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins, and could reach the postseason.

Plesac would be a solid addition for the Phillies behind Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.

It's no surprise Philadelphia is expressing interest in acquiring another starter ahead of the deadline as Zach Eflin is on the 15-day injured list with a right knee injury, and there's uncertainty about when he might return to the rotation.

In addition, it seems unlikely that the Phillies will exercise their half of a $15 million mutual option on Eflin for the 2023 season and could also lose Kyle Gibson in free agency. Adding Plesac, who has good terms on his deal, would be an attractive option.

The Phillies are third in the NL East with a 52-47 record and sit 9.5 games behind the first-place New York Mets. According to FanGraphs, the club currently has a 51.9 percent chance to make the playoffs, so it would make sense that they intend to buy at the deadline.

The Washington Nationals reportedly plan to make superstar outfielder Juan Soto one final contract offer before the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline.

According to Hector Gomez of Z101 Digital, the Nats will trade Soto before the deadline if he does not accept their offer.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported two weeks ago that Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract offer from Washington.

Rosenthal also reported that the Nationals would make Soto available in trade talks because they believed that if he didn't sign the $440 million deal, he would never re-sign with them.

Despite that, the Nats are apparently making a last-ditch effort to keep the face of the franchise.

The Nationals are not obligated to trade Soto if they can't get a deal done since he is under team control in 2023 and 2024 before becoming a free agent in 2025, but trading him now would likely maximize value.

That is key for a rebuilding Nationals team, as they must get as much as possible in a return for Soto or risk lengthening their rebuilding timeline.

Despite being just 23 years old, Soto is in his fifth MLB season and is among the top hitters in baseball.

He is a two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, one-time batting champion and one-time World Series champion.

En route to Washington's World Series title in 2019, Soto hit .282 with a career-high 34 home runs and 110 RBI.

He followed that up with a batting title in 2020 when he hit .351, and he finished second in the National League MVP voting last season when he slashed .313/.465/.534 with 29 homers, 95 RBI and 111 runs scored.

Soto hit below his standards for the first three months of the season, but he has been much better in July and is slashing .243/.400/.480 with 20 home runs and 45 RBI.

Any team would love to get its hands on a young, sweet-swinging lefty like Soto, but it won't be cheap, as the Nats are likely to demand multiple top prospects.

Re-signing Soto is the preferred path since the Nationals could focus their rebuild around him, but if that doesn't happen and they trade him prior to next week's deadline, they figure to receive one of the biggest trade packages in MLB history.

The Houston Astros and New York Mets have reportedly checked on the availability of Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell ahead of Tuesday's 2022 MLB trade deadline, but the Nats' asking price is "high."

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Friday the Astros exchanged names with the Nationals amid concerns about "slippage" in the play from their first baseman, Yuli Gurriel, while the Mets made an initial offer but "don't seem as likely" to land Bell.

The 29-year-old is a strong bet to get dealt somewhere before the deadline because Washington is focused firmly on the future given its 34-66 record, and the Texas native is scheduled to become a free agent at season's end.

He's one of the top rental hitters available on the market thanks to his .302 batting average, .877 OPS and 13 home runs in 99 games so far in 2022. He mashed a career-high 37 homers with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019.

Bell told David Aldridge of The Athletic in early July he had a conversation with Nationals manager Dave Martinez last year about wanting a long-term stay in the nation's capital.

"It's one of those things where it's kind of out of my hands," Bell said. "We'll definitely see what happens. But I think the organization knows how pleased I am being here, with the city and all that, and with the community as a whole. I think this organization does pretty much everything right. So I'm definitely happy to throw on the Nationals jersey."

That said, as the rumors have intensified in the days leading up to the deadline, he also expressed a readiness to potentially play in bigger games.

"I feel like it's one of the things that you strive to be in as a kid," Bell told reporters. "It's a scenario where the game's on the line, you want the bat in your hands, you want the opportunity to win it. So, that's what makes this game fun."

Returning to his home state to play for the Astros would represent a jump from a rebuilding club to one firmly in the World Series conversation.

Houston didn't have a need at first base entering the season, but Gurriel has struggled mightily after capturing the 2021 AL batting title. His OPS (.681) and WAR (minus-0.1) both rank 27th out of 28 qualified players at the position, per FanGraphs.

Adding Bell, who's sixth among first basemen in WAR (2.4), would fill one of the few holes on an Astros roster that ranks sixth in OPS (.739) and second in team ERA (3.05).

Meanwhile, the Mets don't have a need at first base with NL MVP candidate Pete Alonso manning the position, but Bell could take over as the club's primary designated hitter. J.D. Davis and the recently acquired Daniel Vogelbach are currently sharing the DH role.

New York, led by big-spending owner Steve Cohen, figures to remain active leading up to the deadline as it attempts to hold off the reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NL East. It holds a three-game lead in the division race.

Regardless of where he lands, Bell should represent one of the biggest deadline additions for any contender over the next handful of days.

As the Washington Nationals continue to field trade offers for star outfielder Juan Soto, discussions with one team have reportedly gained momentum.

MLB insider Hector Gomez reported Thursday that the San Diego Padres are "in serious talks" with the Nationals regarding a possible trade for Soto with negotiations having "intensified" since Wednesday night.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported earlier on Thursday that the Padres were viewed by rival executives as the frontrunners to acquire the two-time All-Star. San Diego has until the trade deadline of 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 2 to get a deal done with Washington, but there will be competition from other franchises.

Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported earlier this week that "at least a half-dozen teams" have reached out to the Nationals about Soto, and the St. Louis Cardinals were perceived as the favorites to land him. Heyman later stated that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are also involved in the pursuit of the 23-year-old.

Whoever manages to complete a deal for Soto will likely end up paying a substantial price. MLB Network's Mark Feinsand reported Tuesday that he was informed a deal for Soto "is going to be the biggest package you've ever seen returned for a player." The Nationals are believe to be seeking multiple young prospects in order to build for the future.

The Padres have a strong crop of players they'd be able to offer in a trade. Per MLB.com, San Diego's top two prospects are center fielder Robert Hassell III and catcher Luis Campusano.

In the midst of the ongoing trade rumors, Soto has been quiet at the plate. Since returning from the All-Star break, he's gone 3-for-21 in six games with no homers and two RBI. He will have the chance to get right in Thursday's series opener against the Cardinals.

The New York Mets figure to be in buying mode as the Aug. 2 trade deadline approaches considering they are in first place in the National League East and attempting to hold off the defending champion Atlanta Braves.

That said, a potential blockbuster with the Chicago Cubs is reportedly far from being finalized.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, talks about a trade that would send catcher Willson Contreras and reliever David Robertson to the Big Apple are "preliminary" at this stage, with neither side exchanging "concrete trade proposals."

Chicago and New York made headlines last year when the Cubs traded Javier Baez and Trevor Williams to the Mets. Baez, like Contreras, was an integral part in the North Siders' ability to snap their championship drought and win the 2016 World Series, which made him a fan favorite in the Windy City.

Martino noted that trade was almost more extensive, as the Cubs explored moving Contreras and Craig Kimbrel to the Mets as well.

There has been plenty of back-and-forth between the front offices, although Martino suggested "the Mets' unwillingness to further deplete their top-heavy farm system could ultimately be a roadblock" even if they do include catcher Tomás Nido in a deal.

Chicago is still in rebuild mode after trading franchise legends Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant last season. It would surely need prospects back in any swap to further accelerate that rebuild, so any unwillingness to engage on that front from New York could be a deal-breaker.

Contreras would be a notable addition as a three-time All-Star who brings power on offense and a strong arm behind the plate on defense.

He is slashing .258/.373/.470 with 14 home runs and 37 RBI this season and is a playoff-tested performer who is accustomed to playing in the spotlight of a major market. All of that plays for a New York team that is in championship-or-bust mode.

Robertson is also used to playing in New York, considering he was a member of the Yankees from 2008 through 2014 and again in 2017 and 2018. The 2009 World Series champion and 2011 All-Star has a sparkling 1.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 39.1 innings this season.

The right-hander could help shorten games near the back end of the Mets bullpen come playoff time if a trade is completed.

Yet it seems as if there are still some obstacles to overcome to make that happen.

Seeking to solidify their bullpen for the stretch run, the New York Mets could be a landing spot for Chicago Cubs closer David Robertson.

Per Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Mets "love" Robertson as they look at trade options prior to the Aug. 2 deadline.

The main focus for the Mets leading up to the trade deadline could be on Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto.

Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post listed the Mets as one of seven potential landing spots for Soto if the Nationals move him:

"The Mets’ top prospect is catcher Francisco Alvarez, which is one position the Nats don’t really need after obtaining (Keibert) Ruiz last year. The bigger issue is that they reside in the NL East, and it’s hard to imagine Washington wants to face Soto so often the next 2 ½ years —or likely way more than that since the Mets can obviously afford to extend him considering Steve Cohen’s largesse."

Any deal for Robertson almost certainly wouldn't preclude the Mets from making a play for Soto.

In fact, Robertson could be one of the best bargains available before the trade deadline because it doesn't figure to cost much to get him.

The Cubs are almost certainly open for business, with Willson Contreras and Ian Happ getting emotional during Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in what was likely their final game for the team at Wrigley Field. (Chicago begins a seven-game road trip on Thursday that ends after the Aug. 2 trade deadline.)

Robertson is only making $3.5 million this season after signing a one-year deal with the Cubs in March. The 37-year-old has been fantastic with a 1.83 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.

The Mets have Edwin Diaz (1.55 ERA, 81 strikeouts in 40.2 innings) as their closer. Robertson would give manager Buck Showalter another high-leverage reliever to use in the regular season and playoffs if the Mets can work out a deal with the Cubs for the veteran right-hander.

As the Los Angeles Dodgers look for potential upgrades prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, Miami Marlins All-Star Garrett Cooper has popped up on their radar.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, the Dodgers "have been looking" at Cooper as a trade option.

Heyman did note teams in the Juan Soto market, including the Dodgers, may wait for a resolution to that situation before moving to other hitters.

Soto is certainly the biggest domino that could fall before the trade deadline. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tuesday that "multiple executives" around MLB are unsure of what the Washington Nationals are planning to do.

One executive told Passan that Soto will be dealt because of the Nationals' ownership situation, with the Lerner family, which has owned the franchise since 2006, looking to sell the club.

"The Nationals currently are up for sale, and the notion that new ownership's first move would be to trade a future Hall of Famer in his early prime, the executive said, is problematic. Dealing Soto now, he said, would offer the new owner a clean slate," Passan wrote.

Heyman and Joel Sherman recently reported the St. Louis Cardinals are emerging as a potential front-runner for Soto, but six other teams are also mentioned as possible landing spots.

The Dodgers are among that group because they have a mix of young players and prospects to offer the Nationals, as well as the financial resources to give Soto a long-term contract extension.

Cooper isn't the same caliber of player as Soto, but he could be a positive addition to Los Angeles' lineup if a deal comes together. The 31-year-old is hitting .279/.347/.426 with seven homers and 40 RBI in 84 games this season.

The Dodgers can use an extra bat at designated hitter down the stretch. Edwin Rios is on the 60-day injured list with a hamstring issue. Max Muncy is having a disappointing season with a .612 OPS in 79 games.

Cooper is only making $2.5 million this season and has one more year of team control before being eligible for free agency. He's not a difference-maker like Soto, but the Dodgers already have a loaded roster and only need to make marginal improvements to solidify their standing as the World Series favorite in the National League.