Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Philadelphia Phillies Seen as Serious Contender for Soto in Free Agency
The Philadelphia Phillies certainly don’t mind signing big stars in free agency, and the Phillies could be in contention for a huge star in free agency — after the 2024 season.
That star? Juan Soto, currently with the San Diego Padres.
Soto isn’t having quite the season most expected from him after the Washington Nationals traded him to the Padres for a wealth of prospects at last year’s trade deadline.
Soto is batting .265/.419/.479/.898 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI. He also leads the Majors in walks with 83.
The Padres are also underachieving this season, though few expect them to move Soto.
But, Soto is set to hit free agency after the 2024 season, and when he does there are some good reasons why the Phillies might be interested, per the New York Post.
First, Soto has connections to the current coaching staff and to Phillies players. Kevin Long was the Nationals’ hitting coach when Soto and the Nats won the 2019 World Series.
For that matter, current Phillies Bryce Harper and Trea Turner were on that Nationals team, too. So there could be some comfort there for Soto.
Plus, the Phillies are having more luck with their big-contract stars than the Padres. Despite his injuries, Harper has produced. Zack Wheeler is one of the game’s best pitchers. Kyle Schwarber is batting below .200, but he is also one of the season’s top power hitters.
Nick Castellanos is just returning from the All-Star Game. Turner is in the first year of a long-term deal.
The Phillies could shell out long-term dollars to add to their constellation of stars. But they’ll have to wait a while.
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