Part 3/8:
In a surprising turn of events just weeks later, the Nationals traded Soto to the San Diego Padres along with first baseman Josh Bell. The return for this trade was substantial—a haul of six players, including several Major League prospects and multiple top-10 draft picks. Soto later expressed discomfort with how the Nationals had leaked the contract details to the media, further straining what was already a complicated relationship.