MLB fans question Padres motives after club fails to extend 2x All-Star Juan Soto to long-term deal

Juan Soto is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season and there will be plenty of demand for a player of his caliber. The power-hitting lefty is one of the league's most dynamic and entertaining players. Since making his MLB debut in 2018, Soto has been selected to two All-Star Games and won a World Series title.The San Diego Padres, however, resisted offering Soto a long-term deal this offseason.Jon Heyman@JonHeymanPadres made no try for superstar Juan Soto this spring, a surprise since they traded a ton to get him. Could this be evidence they are saving for Shohei?nypost.com/2023/03/30/no-…15120Padres made no try for superstar Juan Soto this spring, a surprise since they traded a ton to get him. Could this be evidence they are saving for Shohei?nypost.com/2023/03/30/no-…Per a recent article in the New York Post, Jon Heyman believes the Padres' reluctance to extend Soto means they could be clearing up space for another superstar. Shohei Ohtani is set to hit the market at the end of the season and is supposedly keen to remain on the West Coast.MLB fans took to Twitter to speculate what the future holds for Juan Soto if the Padres decide to move on from him.Nik K@NikKolidas@JonHeyman He hasn't played that well since he's gotten there. Something could be up with him.3@JonHeyman He hasn't played that well since he's gotten there. Something could be up with him.David Gawkowski@davegawkowski@JonHeyman Soto's horrid defense is not talked about enough. He can't get to routine fly balls and he's 24.2@JonHeyman Soto's horrid defense is not talked about enough. He can't get to routine fly balls and he's 24.Johnny Gomez@johnnysfgiants@JonHeyman Soto has been disappointed so far in San Diego1@JonHeyman Soto has been disappointed so far in San DiegoSanto@santo_nunnari@JonHeyman This is evidence they ran out of money9@JonHeyman This is evidence they ran out of money🎺 Steven 🎺@EDWlNDlAZ@JonHeyman no lol he’s a Met and Ohtani is going to the Dodgers@JonHeyman no lol he’s a Met and Ohtani is going to the DodgersDave Robicheaux@DaveyRobicheaux@JonHeyman Soto was bad last season. No chance he signs a deal after a down year. Btw, Red Sox should write Soto a check for $399 million and call it a day.@JonHeyman Soto was bad last season. No chance he signs a deal after a down year. Btw, Red Sox should write Soto a check for $399 million and call it a day.Donnie Stephenson@DonaldStevie25@JonHeyman How could they possibly afford either of them with all the big contracts they doled out the past few years? Doesn't add up. Wouldn't be surprised if they eventually flip Soto after this year.@JonHeyman How could they possibly afford either of them with all the big contracts they doled out the past few years? Doesn't add up. Wouldn't be surprised if they eventually flip Soto after this year.Stat Magician@StatMagician@JonHeyman Sign both of them; own San Diego.@JonHeyman Sign both of them; own San Diego.Ray Mitten@Raymitten@JonHeyman It’s evidence that Soto is going to free agency. Which is why he was traded in the first place.@JonHeyman It’s evidence that Soto is going to free agency. Which is why he was traded in the first place.The Padres have invested heavily in their roster over the last few months. They signed former Boston Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts to a long-term deal. Infielder Manny Machado and pitcher Yu Darvish have also been rewarded with lucrative extensions. Fernando Tatis Jr. is another player who has committed his future to the club.Soto recently rejected a massive 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals. The Padres would likely have to commit to a huge contract that would limit their ability to chase other free agents.Juan Soto's numbers have dropped since his move to the San Diego PadresJuan Soto of the San Diego Padres hits a ground out RBI against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning at Coors FieldJuan Soto hasn't seemed like the same player since his move to the San Diego Padres. His offensive production has dropped and he has failed to live up to expectations.During his time with the Nationals, he had an impressive .291/.427/.538 slash line and a .966 OPS. He recorded 119 home runs and 358 RBIs over 565 regular season games.With the Padres, his numbers have dropped significantly. Soto has a mediocre .236/.388/.390 slash line and has recorded just six home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games.The Padres will wait to see how Soto performs before deciding if they want to extend his contract. Due to his poor offensive output, San Diego may be keeping tabs on other options, like Shohei Ohtani.

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