Major League Baseball

Padres, Cardinals 'frontrunners' to land Juan Soto, report says

Updated Jul. 31, 2022 6:52 p.m. ET

Two teams have reportedly emerged as the "front-runners" to acquire superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals.

Those teams are the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Padres will "do anything" to get Soto, Rosenthal reported.

"The Padres are a team — we've seen this before under general manager A.J. Preller — they are extremely aggressive," Rosenthal said. "They have prospects, no doubt. Preller would love to get Soto to go with (Fernando) Tatis and (Manny) Machado and that excellent rotation. And there are people in the industry who believe he'll do anything to get him, just about."

San Diego could include left-hander MacKenzie Gore and infielder C.J. Abrams in a trade package for Soto. Concerning their farm system, the Padres have catcher Luis Campusano, outfielders Robert Hassell III and James Wood, and pitchers Reiss Knehr and Robert Gasser, among other prospects.

Although he mentions their interest in Soto, Rosenthal said the Cardinals might have to adjust their philosophy on prospects to acquire the 23-year-old outfielder.

"Then the Cardinals, they're a little bit different," Rosenthal said. "They are run completely differently. They try to balance, always, the present with the future, and have been reluctant in the past to give up big-time prospects in this kind of deal. It's just not something they ordinarily do. Now, they're going to need to do something because they need starting pitching. (Frankie) Montas is a guy they're interested in, and obviously at some point they're going to have to get a little uncomfortable if they want to improve their team."

St. Louis could include left-hander Matthew Liberatore, infielder Nolan Gorman and one of outfielders Dylan Carlson and Tyler O'Neill in a trade package for Soto. Concerning their farm system, the Cardinals have infielders Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn, catcher Ivan Herrera and outfielder Joshua Baez, among other prospects.

As trade rumors surrounding him intensify, Soto is looking forward to being on the other end of Tuesday's trade deadline.

"I just want to get it over with and see what’s going to happen," Soto told reporters Sunday. "I mean, just go over that day and start over here or wherever I’m at."

Soto reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract extension from the Nationals. He is under team control through the 2024 season. Soto holds a .243/.399/.478 batting line to go along with 20 home runs, 45 RBIs and an MLB-best 84 walks this season. For his career, Soto owns a .291/.426/.537 batting line.

The Nationals have the worst record in MLB at 35-68.