How Shohei Ohtani's free agency could impact Padres' Juan Soto

San Diego Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller apparently wants to keep Juan Soto but could make him available on one big condition.

"Preller has little interest in trading Juan Soto and will look into a long-term contract (although that’s a long shot)," MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Thursday night. 

Heyman added that Soto "isn’t likely to be traded now" but added the situation could change if the Padres sign two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani in free agency.

The Padres are at least "interested" in Ohtani, per Heyman. 

Ohtani repeatedly has been linked with the Los Angeles Dodgers going as far back as last winter and is expected to leave the Los Angeles Angels. Heyman noted that "the consensus is the Dodgers remain the favorites" to win the Ohtani sweepstakes "because they cleared payroll space, they’re consistent winners and may hold a geographic advantage."

It's been said for years that Ohtani prefers to stay on the West Coast, and Heyman wrote that "word is Ohtani loves Southern California."  

Earlier in the week, agent Scott Boras revealed that the Padres "laid out their plan for next year, which definitely is a lineup that includes Juan Soto." 

That hasn't prevented many in the baseball community from predicting the New York Yankees will make a push to land the All-Star outfielder via trade, in part because it's believed the Bronx Bombers aren't realistic contenders to sign Ohtani. 

The New York Mets reportedly will take a big swing at acquiring Ohtani, but Heyman said some believe the 29-year-old is still as "reluctant to live in New York" as he was when he joined the Angels ahead of the 2018 season. 

Ohtani underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in September and isn't expected to pitch before the 2025 campaign. It's thought he could sign a contract that would allow him to opt out after either the 2025 or 2026 season, and his supposed willingness to ink a short-term deal may allow more clubs than originally thought to send offers his way.