Phillies

Juan Soto Invited to Travel Back to Philadelphia with the Phillies (UPDATED)

By Kyle Pagan

Published: Jul 12th, 2023 · 9:58 AM EDT

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This isn’t tampering, this is just good guy John Middleton offering a guy a ride back to Philly on his private jet. Nothing to see here:

#Padres open the 2nd half in Philadelphia. Juan Soto says on All-Star postgame coverage that the #Phillies have invited Soto to travel back with them.

— Jay Floyd (@PhoulBallz) July 12, 2023

If I’m the Padres I’d block this immediately. Some will say this happens all the time. There’s nothing to see here. Sure. Whatever you got to do to convince yourself. The problem here is not many stars spend five hours with silver-tongued devils that can pull off paisley button downs:

Philly Rob at the ASG pic.twitter.com/r0obJk3pJb

— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) July 10, 2023

Soto doesn’t stand a chance. Mix in Nick Castellanos, who could sell me magic beans right now after convincing me Scooby Doo is a superhero:

"Well first off he's a dog … and he can talk."

I asked Nick Castellanos his reasoning behind Scooby Doo being his favorite superhero, which led to this insightful answer. https://t.co/MCtm6XmO98 pic.twitter.com/leRDlZkUKM

— Noah Chast (@NoahChastTV) July 10, 2023

Can’t wait to see this over the next four months:

Soto is making $23 million this season before an arbitration year and then will become an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Throw in Mick Abel and Brandon Marsh. Oh no not Mick Abel!!! He’s untouchable!!!! Give me a break. I remember when Kyle Drabek was untouchable. Anyone know what he’s up to lately? Sixto Sanchez hasn’t thrown since the Trump administration. The Padres season is about to be in the toilet while boasting a top-3 payroll. It doesn’t look like Soto wants to sign an extension. This Phillies team is going to get old, and fast. We’re in win-now mode with a lineup severely lacking power. Give me a dude who can spray it into the power alley in right field.

Wait. What’s that in Dave Dombrowski’s dimple?

Closer….

….

….

A little closer…

….

HOLY SHIT THAT’S JUAN SOTO!

FULFILL THE PROPHECY DAVE!

"I'll see you next year!!!!💯" – Juan Soto👀 pic.twitter.com/ks3UxQTapR

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) July 16, 2022

This lineup is going to RAKE in October:

• Schwarber DH
• Turner 6
• Harper 3
• Soto 9
• Castellanos 7
• Realmuto 2
• Bohm 5
• Stott 4
• Pache 8

 

UPDATE: Juan Soto actually flew home with the Phillies:

I can confirm that Juan Soto did fly back with the Phillies players and staff from Seattle to Philadelphia after the All-Star Game last night.

Phillies and Padres open up a four-game set Friday at Citizens Bank Park. https://t.co/taevqnRob9

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) July 12, 2023

The Phillies are trading for Juan Soto? –

https://twitter.com/CBroadBurner/status/1679201511367143429?s=20