Juan Soto and the Padres avoid arbitration

Juan Soto and the Padres avoid arbitration

Outfielder Juan Soto on Friday accepted a one-year, $23 million contract offer from the San Diego Padres to avoid arbitration.

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The ESPN network reported this in the afternoon.

The 24-year-old will become a free agent in 2025. The Padres will regain their Official Rights at the end of next season.

The Dominican joined the San Diego team for two-thirds of the 2022 season, coming from the Washington Nationals. The young star was the key negotiating tool in a monster deal that also involved first baseman Josh Bell.

He finished the campaign with 62 RBIs, 27 homers and a .242 batting average.

During his career, Soto has twice been invited to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and has won a Silver Stick in the past three seasons.