According to Insider, Padres may be “counted out” of the race for a $500 million free agent

The San Diego Padres’ season ended with them being eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. They should be active in their free agency and try to overcome the crisis.

While outlining the Padres’ offseason, MLB insider Robert Murray noted that the Padres would be aggressive in free agency but should be counted out of the running for Juan Soto of the New York Yankees.

“A reunion with Juan Soto is pretty much the only thing that can be ruled out. After that, Preller seems unwise to exclude him from anything,” Murray wrote. “He loves big game hunting, and whether in free agency or in a trade, you can expect him to be aggressive – and the starting rotation appears to be the best bet for that this winter.”

It’s no surprise that the Padres aren’t seeking a reunion with Juan Soto. After all, the team traded him to the Yankees last offseason.

The price of Soto has steadily increased each season. Maybe he would never sign a contract extension and wait for free agency, but the Padres probably would have kept him if they had any intention of signing him long-term. Spotrac expects Soto to sign a 14-year, $513 million contract in free agency.

Soto spent half of the 2022 season and all of the 2023 season with the Padres. He was named an All-Star with the team in 2023. He had 41 home runs in 214 games with the Padres.

The Yankees should rightly be considered the favorites to sign Soto to a major contract. He’s already in their clubhouse and all signs point to him enjoying being a Yankee. If not the Yankees, the New York Mets will be the biggest contender.

More MLB: The Dodgers are being asked to part ways with their $24 million infielder to afford a key free agent