The Soto, from the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, in a vast deal that bolsters their playoff bids by adding one of baseball's most feared hitters.
In the deal that took place hours before the trade close, San Diego also acquired the first baseman Josh Bell and traded half a dozen players to Washington, including rookie left-hander MacKenzie Gore and first baseman/DH Luke Voit. The others are prospects James Wood, CJ Abrams, Robert Hassell III, and Susana Jardin.
Voit was included in the package at the last minute after San Diego's first baseman Eric Hosmer appealed a clause in his contract and vetoed the trade to Washington, a source familiar with the deal said. The source anonymously spoke to The Associated Press because the exchange had not yet been completed.
After landing Soto, Padres general manager AJ Preller also enlisted the services of infielder Brandon Drury, who arrived from Cincinnati.
Drury has 20 home runs this season, the most in his career.
Dominican Soto is a versatile outfielder who will only turn 24 at the end of October when San Diego could find itself in the hunt for a title.
After shining as the Nationals won their first championship in franchise history in 2019, Soto won the NL batting title in 2020 with a .361 average. He has been the player who has received the most walks in the majors for the last two seasons.
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