Reactions to the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees trade of Juan Soto were not entirely unanimous. The Padres lost a talent that would last a generation, on the one hand. However, it’s likely that the Padres were unable to re-sign Soto, thus they received a solid return package in exchange for him.
This week, Yankees manager Aaron Boone discussed the deal on the Talkin’ Yanks podcast. In his opinion, the Padres made a good transaction, particularly obtaining right-hand pitcher Michael King.
Prospect evaluation is by no means a precise science. But when a team makes an effort to keep a player, that speaks volumes about the caliber of that potential.
Boone says it appears the Yankees were willing to hold onto King but ultimately gave up. Given King’s major league stats, it is easy to understand why they were reluctant to let him leave.
King, 28, has two more arbitration years left before becoming a free agent. It was in the Bronx that he debuted in 2019. After that, he worked with the Yankees at a number of different positions.
His 247.2 total innings pitched have come from 219.0 innings over the last three seasons. He has a 3.13 FIP and a 2.88 ERA across those 219.0 innings.
Now that he’s at a ballpark that is much more hitter-friendly, he has an opportunity to raise those figures.
Saying that the side that parted with Soto “won” the trade is difficult. At the very least, King’s potential fulfillment will lessen the pain of Soto’s departure.
