Juan Soto 'pumped' to join stacked San Diego Padres lineup, wishes opposing pitchers 'good luck'

SAN DIEGO — Juan Soto arrived at Petco Park promising to bring «good vibes» to the San Diego Padres and issuing a warning to opposing teams.

The acquisition of the 23-year-old generational talent in perhaps the biggest deadline deal ever energized the Padres and their long-suffering fans, and there's more to come.

Soto and Josh Bell on Wednesday joined a lineup currently anchored by All-Star slugger Manny Machado. Star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to return from a broken left wrist within a few weeks.

When that lineup hits the field, «It's going to be really exciting. It's going to be really tough to go through and I wish good luck to to other pitchers,» Soto said with a laugh at an introductory news conference.

Soto was batting second and playing right field against Colorado on Wednesday night, a day after being obtained from Washington in a massive trade. Machado was batting third and switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell, acquired along with Soto, was batting cleanup.

The price for Soto and Bell was significant: rookie left-hander MacKenzie Gore, first baseman/DH Luke Voit and prospects James Wood, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III and Jarlin Susana.

Washington general manager Mike Rizzo set a lofty asking price last month after reports emerged that Soto rejected the team's latest contract offer of $440 million over 15 years.

The uncertainty over his future began weighing on Soto, who said after Sunday's game against St. Louis: «I just want to get it over with and see what's going to happen. Start over here or wherever I'm at.»

That place is San Diego, where the Padres entered Wednesday holding the NL's second wild-card spot while trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by 11 1/2 games in the NL West.

Soto, one of