It remains a mystery if the San Diego Padres will actually trade star outfielder Juan Soto this winter, and we have been getting conflicting reports over the last few days. Some say that San Diego will definitely move the star player, and others say that he will be a part of the Padres 2024 plans.

Either way, it’s one of the biggest talking points around baseball right now, and until we have a conclusion, it will remain that way. The Padres likely have to gauge what makes sense for them, and moving Soto could be a possibility.

MLB writer Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report put together a ranking of landing spots for the Padres star outfielder, and one of the top five places would have Soto being dealt in the division. This proposed trade has San Diego moving him up north to the San Francisco Giants.

Trade Package: LHP Carsen Whisenhunt, SS Aeverson Arteaga, OF Wade Meckler and RHP Landen Roupp for Juan Soto”

Per Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report

The Giants have been searching for a star-level player for some time now, and Soto could be their next shot. While it remains to be seen if the Padres would move him to a division rival, San Francisco does have the assets to get a deal done.

“However, after whiffing on Aaron Judge and passing on Carlos Correa last winter, the Giants were woefully lacking in high-profile hitters in 2023. Unless they win the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, there isn’t much of that to be found in free agency this year. Trading for Soto might be their best chance at adding some much-needed star power.”

Soto would instantly turn the Giants into a contender for the 2024 season. They almost reached the playoffs this past year, but they faltered down the stretch of the season. He would give them real star power and likely could be open to singing long-term there.

It remains doubtful that the Padres would move him within the division, but they should be open to everything and anything after the year that they just had. San Diego wants to get back to a place of contention, and moving Soto could be the move that does just that.