PHOENIX, ARIZONA – AUGUST 31: Eric Hosmer #30 of the San Diego Padres gets ready in the batters box against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 31, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer held all the power in the Juan Soto trade, until he didn’t.
The Nationals and Padres agreed to a trade for Juan Soto and Josh Bell. Originally, it appeared Hosmer was in the deal, but the San Diego first baseman has a no-trade clause, thus complicating things.
Hosmer doesn’t want to be a Washington National, it would appear. Barring a late change of heart, Hosmer will have to be dealt elsewhere.
The San Diego first baseman’s contract is not favorable, which would explain the Padres decision to offload him at the trade deadline. Sending him to Washington in the same deal they picked up Bell would be perfect. Unfortunately for them, Hosmer wasn’t down with that plan.
Padres: Eric Hosmer held all the power in Juan Soto trade
Hosmer is locked into a contract that pays him $13 million over each of the next three seasons. When said deal is up, he’ll be 35 years old, and he’s not nearly the player he used to be when he won the World Series with the Kansas City Royals.
By no means is he unplayable, however. Hosmer is slashing .272/.336/.392. He’s shown moderate power this season and is certainly a good enough first baseman for a non-contending team.
San Diego and Preller considers themselves a World Series contender, though, which makes Bell a far better option.
Soto is one of the best hitters in all of baseball, and has been coined the next Ted Williams for a reason. The Pads will find a way to get this trade done, with or without Hosmer attached.