The final day pf the Major League Baseball trade deadline often is a crazy time for the league, but Tuesday was nuttier than usual.
Late in the morning came news that Washington was trading star outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to San Diego for shortstop CJ Abrams and pitcher MacKenzie Gore, along with minor-leaguers Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jarlin Susana.
One other player that San Diego planned to send to the Nationals was former Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer.
But Hosmer needed to waive his no-trade clause (which included Washington). That, at first seemed like it could torpedo the deal.
To be clear, the Juan Soto/Josh Bell blockbuster hinges on Eric Hosmer’s permission for the deal to move forward. The #Nats are on his no-trade list. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 2, 2022
San Diego #Padres 1B Eric Hosmer has NOT approved the trade to Washington. The #Nats are on his no-trade list. It remains to be seen if he changes his mind.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 2, 2022
But a short while later, it became apparent that with or without Hosmer’s approval the trade would be completed.
Source confirms what Jim is saying. Deal will go through with or without Hosmer. Padres still must decide what to do with him.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 2, 2022
It was a good thing the trade was not contingent on Hosmer’s approval, because he did veto being part of the deal to the Nationals.
Eric Hosmer rejected the trade to Washington and will not be part of the Soto deal, per source. Now the Padres have less than five hours to figure out what to do with Hosmer, who is owed $39 million from 2023-25.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 2, 2022
After leaving Kansas City following the 2017 season, Hosmer signed an eight-year, $144 million contract with San Diego. He is scheduled to earn $13 million a year from 2023-25.
Hosmer is batting .272 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs in 90 games this season, and he’s never had an All-Star season in San Diego.
The Padres have been actively trying to shed his contract (and bat), but Hosmer won’t join former Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar in Washington.
The Padres had to give up a bunch of top prospects for Juan Soto and Josh Bell and they will probably have to give up another one to convince a team to trade for Eric Hosmer.
— D.J. Short (@djshort) August 2, 2022
One scenario under discussion between #Padres and Eric Hosmer’s reps:
Hosmer may request that he end up with a team other than the #Nats as part of a 3-team deal. The situation remains fluid. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 2, 2022
In the end, it didn’t take the Padres all that long to find a willing trade partner for Hosmer, as he was sent to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon.
That’s according to multiple national baseball writers, including ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
With Eric Hosmer out of the Juan Soto trade after rejecting a deal to Washington, the Boston Red Sox swooped in and will acquire him from San Diego, sources tell ESPN. The finances are unclear: Padres could pick up a chunk of money — or could send along a prospect with Hosmer.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2022
As fate would have it, Hosmer will be back in Kansas City on Thursday when Boston opens a four-game series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Josh Vernier, Royals Insider for KCSP (610 AM), shared a pretty cool scenario that likely will take place soon.
The Royals selected Daniel Lynch with the draft pick received when Eric Hosmer signed a free-agent deal with the Padres. The two could face one another for the first time this weekend at Kauffman Stadium. #Royals
— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) August 2, 2022