The playoff push has begun, and the San Diego Padres hope to stay in a wild card spot.The Padres have a few major changes to their lineup. The team just traded for a 22-year-old superstar Juan Soto, and their current superstar was set to return soon.
At the end of the trade deadline the Padres traded their entire farm system to the Washington Nationals for the young sensation Juan Soto. Soto, fresh off of a home run derby win, looked to be paired with his new superstar teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis Jr. who suffered a fractured hand in the off-season seemed to be nearing a big league return when things took a turn for the worst. Little did they know Fernando would be suspended for 80 games due to the use of steroids.
Although the Nationals won the World Series just 3 years ago, Juan Soto demanded a trade after the team’s sluggish start to the season. In the trade the Padres had to give up the best of their young talent in CJ Abrams and Makenzie Gore. They also dealt top prospects Robert Hassell III, James Wood, and Jarlin Susana along with veteran first baseman Luke Voit. But ultimately, the Padres got what they wanted, Juan Soto.They also received veteran first baseman Josh Bell.
About a week after the Padres traded for Soto rumors started to come out that Tatis was using PEDs.
A PED is a performance enhancement drug that allows athletes to gain muscle and perform better in their sport. Tatis had just made his return to baseball playing in a AA game for the San Antonio Missions the night before he was suspended.
Right after the news came out Tatis’s father claimed his son’s doctor had prescribed Fernando a prescription not knowing it contained a PED banned by the MLB. Later in the week, Tatis confessed that there was no excuse for him to be using the drug to enhance his performance.
The Padres may have added a big time superstar in Juan Soto, but it came with a price as they lost their other star Fernando Tatis Jr. The Padres are currently making a push for a Wild Card spot in the MLB Playoffs. Their current record is 89-72, 21 games back of the Dodgers and they ended up with the last playoff spot. Luckily, they have one of the best players in the world on their side, Juan Soto.