Juan Soto may want to test free agency in 2024 – how that affects Padres' asking price, his next destination

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For the second year in a row, Juan Soto is on the block.

The San Diego Padres are aiming to shed some money while simultaneously filling in their rotation that could lose, well, just about everyone to free agency.

So, understandably, the Padres want a lot for the 25-year-old perennial MVP candidate – MLB-ready pitching, some top prospects and maybe some more.

But there's likely a wrinkle to the Padres' potential asking price: Reports have swirled that Soto is going to test free agency after the 2024 season. 

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Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a home run against the Tigers at Comerica Park on July 21, 2023, in Detroit. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)

Who can blame him? He's going to be one of the most sought-out players in the history of free agency, maybe even more than current free agent Shohei Ohtani, who is rumored to sign a deal that could exceed not only $500 million, but $600 million.

Right now, Soto can only negotiate a long-term deal with the Padres. If, and very likely when, he gets traded (perhaps at this week's Winter Meetings), he will then only be able to negotiate with his new team.

As a free agent, he's able to negotiate with 30. 

So, with that in mind, some clubs are going to operate under the impression that they could be acquiring only a one-year rental, albeit an elite one.

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That's why the Yankees have reportedly had difficulties including the names of top prospect Jasson Dominguez and 22-year-old Anthony Volpe, who just won