Juan Soto, the dynamic new star for the Yankees, has played a crucial role in their impressive early performance. However, it is now known that there was a time last summer when there was a strong possibility of Soto committing long-term to San Diego.
Peter Seidler, the beloved owner of the Padres, initiated discussions with Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, to explore a potentially substantial deal. These confidential negotiations started off on a promising note until Seidler’s health deteriorated, leading to a tragic end when he passed away on November 14 at the age of 63, with his aspiration of a World Series victory remaining unrealized.
Despite the Padres’ disappointing record of 82-80 in 2023, there is a misconception that Soto’s tenure in San Diego was unsatisfactory. However, Seidler did not attribute the team’s underperformance solely to the talented slugger.
“Peter had a deep admiration for Juan Soto. Soto ranked sixth in MVP voting, earned a Silver Slugger award, and was selected as an All-Star,” shared Boras. “Peter expressed interest in retaining Soto, but unfortunately, due to his health issues, the deal could not materialize.”
Some may find it surprising that Seidler was willing to invest heavily in extending Soto’s contract, especially considering the Padres’ financial challenges given their significant spending in a midsize market. Yet, Seidler’s unwavering priority was the team’s success, regardless of financial implications.
There is a belief that Soto may have a preference for the East Coast, as it would allow his close relationship with his parents to flourish due to increased visibility. However, according to Boras, Soto had a positive relationship with the Padres’ owner and was content with the team.
“He performed admirably during his time there,” Boras emphasized.
Although the negotiations were discreet at the time, some insiders connected to the team speculate that a deal keeping Soto in San Diego would likely have been finalized if Seidler had not passed away. One factor contributing to this belief is the genuine admiration that both Seidler and GM A.J. Preller held for Soto — Preller expressed regret when Soto was traded to the Yankees. Additionally, Seidler was known for prioritizing victory over financial constraints, evident in surprising moves like the Xander Bogaerts’ massive contract of $280 million over 11 years, even when the team was already strong in the shortstop position, propelling the Padres to rank among the top three spenders in MLB.
People in that area saw Seidler as a version of Steve Cohen in a smaller market.
While Soto’s time in San Diego had its ups and downs due to team struggles, his tenure with the Yankees has been nothing but positive. Soto has been well-received by his teammates, some of whom are even trying to emulate his patient approach at the plate, which is one of his strengths.
The Yankees are benefiting greatly from having Soto on their team. His defensive skills have improved, possibly due to the intense off-season training sessions with outfield expert Jackie Bradley Jr., and he has embraced batting second in Aaron Boone’s lineups. Boras refuted the notion that Soto was dissatisfied in San Diego but acknowledged, “He is also very content in New York.”
Given that the Yankees sacrificed some of their pitching depth to acquire him, it is highly likely that they will put forth a significant effort to retain him in the long run, potentially facing competition from the Mets across town. Soto, who will become a free agent after the season, may be inclined to enjoy his time in New York due to the team’s illustrious history of success.
Many were skeptical of Soto turning down the Nationals’ then-record offer of $440 million for 14 years, especially as the Padres encountered difficulties. According to Boras, the instability within the Nationals’ ownership—described by him as “faceless”—prevented them from making a counteroffer. “He was uncertain about the team’s direction,” Boras remarked.
The Washington Nationals, owned by the Lerner family, ultimately decided to keep the team rather than sell it, but they are now engaged in a rebuilding phase, which began with the trade of Soto for multiple promising prospects.
If Soto had agreed to sign with the Nationals, Boras suggested that “he would likely be on a team in the lower ranks rather than playing in New York.”
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