Trade Benefits: How the Padres and Yankees Both Triumphed in the Juan Soto Deal

The San Diego Padres find themselves just two victories away from the National League Championship Series, a position bolstered by their acquisition of ace pitcher Michael King. This opportunity arrives as a result of a significant trade that sent star hitter Juan Soto from the Padres to the New York Yankees. “It hurt a lot on our end, but you have to give to get,” said Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman after finalizing the trade during the Winter Meetings in December.

King, age 29, was initially a successful setup reliever for New York from 2021 until August 2023. The Yankees, then out of the postseason race, decided to experiment with King as a starting pitcher, leading to a remarkable performance where he maintained a 2.23 ERA. This success demonstrated his value and made him a key target for Padres General Manager A.J. Preller in the Soto trade.

“I think a little bit exciting and disappointing,” commented Preller on trading Soto. “The trade definitely gives us flexibility and clarity on the rest of the offseason.” The Yankees finished the 2023 season with an 82-80 record, and a lack of offensive depth was identified as a core issue, prompting the need for players like Soto.

Meanwhile, both the Padres and Yankees ended 2023 with identical records, highlighting a shared need for improvements. While the Yankees sought offensive power, the Padres required pitching depth and needed to manage their payroll efficiently. Trading Soto, who was projected to earn $31 million in arbitration, allowed San Diego to address these needs simultaneously.

Initially reluctant, Preller noted that the Yankees “made it known that this was a deal and a player they wanted.” In exchange for Soto and Trent Grisham, New York sent Michael King, catcher Kyle Higashioka, and other talents to San Diego. Soto delivered strong performances for the Yankees, highlighted by a .288/.419/.569 line with 41 home runs and a career-high 7.9 WAR in 2024.

For the Padres, parting with Soto paid dividends as King became one of the best starters in baseball, boasting a 2.95 ERA with a 27.7% strikeout rate over 173 2/3 innings. Higashioka emerged as a reliable catcher, showcasing his ability with 17 home runs in the regular season and solid defensive skills.

The trade benefited both teams significantly. For the Padres, it provided crucial roster flexibility and pitching depth, while for the Yankees, Soto’s addition contributed to their strong offensive lineup. Cashman remarked, “It hurt a lot on our end to give up some real pieces, but you have to give to get.” Ultimately, the Soto trade is seen as a win-win for both organizations, meeting their respective needs as they eye further postseason success.