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A16 sports
Tuesday 2 augusT 2022
Trade deadline preview: Juan Soto sweepstakes down to wire

By JAKE SEINER behind the dish.
AP Baseball Writer — RHP Frankie Montas,
When Juan Soto turned Oakland Athletics: After
down a $440 million, 15- Cincinnati traded right-
year deal to stay with the hander Luis Castillo to Se-
Washington Nationals, it attle last week, Montas is
ensured Tuesday's 6 p.m. likely the top starter avail-
EDT trade deadline would able from a pool that also
have a little juice. includes Giants LHP Carlos
That wasn't a certainty Rodón, Marlins RHP Pablo
when Major League Base- López, Angels RHP Noah
ball and the players' union Syndergaard, Red Sox RHP
agreed to an expanded Nathan Eovaldi and Reds
postseason format this RHP Tyler Mahle. Montas is
spring. With 12 October 4-9 despite a 3.18 ERA and
spots available — and no isn't eligible for free agency
more one-game wild-card until after the 2023 season.
rounds — some had con- — 1B Josh Bell, Washington
cerns about whether there Nationals: The 2019 All-Star
would be enough star pow- has had a resurgent year,
er left among sellers to sat- cutting down his strikeout
isfy a potentially growing rate considerably while
number of buyers. batting .302 with 14 home
A quick glance at the runs. The 29-year-old free
standings shows at least 18 agent-to-be is also consid-
teams with legitimate play- ered a positive clubhouse
off aspirations — 18 clubs Washington Nationals' Juan Soto reacts after fouling a ball during the ninth inning of a baseball presence. As a switch-hit-
that might benefit from game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, July 31, 2022, in Washington. ter, he'd fit into any con-
Willson Contreras, Josh Bell Associated Press tender's lineup but might
or Frankie Montas, among best improve the defend-
others. nerstone: seemed like a prime trade May, who is recovering ing World Series cham-
With Soto, there could be — St. Louis Cardinals: No chip after a strong start to from Tommy John surgery. pion Atlanta Braves, who
even more bidders than franchise has more consis- the season, but he went on Among other possibilities: haven't gotten much pro-
that. The 23-year-old is a tently churned out quality the injured list last week with The Texas Rangers have duction at DH from Marcell
two-time All-Star, a Home young big leaguers over a sore elbow, clouding his emerged as a surprise bid- Ozuna.
Run Derby champion, a the past few decades than value. Outfield prospects der in the rumor mill, and — DH J.D. Martinez, Bos-
World Series winner and St. Louis, and the Cards are Robert Hassell III and James Soto would fit nicely into a ton Red Sox: Boston is only
famously one of the most flush with the sort of play- Wood are consensus top lineup along with splashy 3 1/2 games out of the last
difficult at-bats in baseball. ers Washington wants. Out- 100 prospects who could free-agent signings Co- AL wild-card spot, but with
Pry him away from the Na- fielders Dylan Carlson and also be moved as the Pa- rey Seager and Marcus three other teams between
tionals, and a club could Tyler O'Neill, infielders Nolan dres chase the Dodgers in Semien. The New York Yan- them and the Rays. Mar-
enjoy 2½ seasons of Soto Gorman and Tommy Ed- the NL West. Speaking of ... kees and crosstown Mets tinez is a five-time All-Star
and his signature batter's man, and left-hander Mat- — Los Angeles Dodgers: LA are both in first place. Soto with World Series experi-
box shuffle before he can thew Liberatore will surely reportedly outbid the rival could be insurance be- ence, and he remains an
test free agency. be asked about. Infield Padres for Scherzer at last yond 2022 if Aaron Judge offensive force at age 37. If
Of course, with so many prospects Jordan Walker year's deadline and have leaves in free agency, but the Red Sox decide to sell,
suitors, Washington is sure and Masyn Winn — both the pieces to do the same New York seems hesitant to plenty of teams would be
to extract a heavy haul for at Double-A — would also for Soto, who was serenad- move Double-A shortstop asking on Martinez.
Soto's services. The Nation- be enticing. The Cardinals ed with "Future Dodger!" Anthony Volpe, ranked And a few others of note:
als haven't seemed keen trail Milwaukee in the NL chants at Chavez Ravine among the game's top Cubs OF Ian Happ is a free
on a long-lasting rebuild, Central but have a good during All-Star week. The prospects. The Mets, mean- agent after 2023 but could
prioritizing near-ready tal- shot at a wild card in the fi- Dodgers top prospect is while, might have to pay a be moved this week af-
ent when trading away nal seasons for Albert Pujols 20-year-old High-A catcher premium as a division rival. ter making his first All-Star
Max Scherzer and Trea and Yadier Molina. Diego Cartaya — a bit far The Seattle Mariners and team. Chicago teammate
Turner last year. The indus- — San Diego Padres: Rook- away for Washington's his- San Francisco Giants have David Robertson is likely the
try expects GM Mike Rizzo ie shortstop C.J. Abrams is toric liking, but a possibil- also been floated as po- best relief pitcher available.
to eye similarly advanced a consensus top-10 pros- ity. Triple-A slugger Michael tential landing spots. ... Cincinnati also figures to
prospects in Soto talks. pect in all of baseball but Busch and Double-A pitch- Of course, Soto isn't the sell INF-OF Brandon Drury,
A few contenders seem expendable because of er Bobby Miller could cer- only star expected to move who hit his career-high 20th
like better bets to convince Fernando Tatis Jr., so that's tainly work, and the Nats by Tuesday. Here are some homer Sunday. ... Versatile
Rizzo that now is the time to a start. Young left-hand- might also be interested in other players to watch: sparkplug Whit Merrifield
part with the franchise cor- er MacKenzie Gore also 24-year-old starter Dustin — C Willson Contreras, Chi- could be dealt by the Roy-
cago Cubs: The three-time als, but his status is murky
LIKE US ON All-Star got a standing ova- because he has refused
tion last week in his likely to get vaccinated for CO-
Wrigley Field finale, with VID-19. Merrifield has said
Chicago almost certain to he'd reconsider if it meant
find him a new home be- playing postseason games
fore he reaches free agen- in Toronto, where travel
cy this fall. The Mets and As- restrictions have barred
Facebook.com/arubatoday/ tros are among contenders unvaccinated players this
that could use an upgrade year.q