?He Was More Developed Than Me, More Stronger??- Padres Star Duo Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado Recall Childhood Ball Games With Newly Acquired Generational Talent Juan Soto

Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres has to be the biggest trade of the 2022 MLB season. Considering his prowess and talent from the plate, Soto would have been a dream signing for any MLB franchise. But it is the Padres who acquired the star outfielder from the Washington Nationals.

Juan Soto’s addition to the Padres roster will only strengthen the batting lineup of the NL side. With Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Josh Bell already by their side, including Soto will be a cherry on the top for the Padres? batting lineup.

Soon after the Padres acquired the former Nationals outfielder, the Padre’s superstars, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. reacted to the deadline trade and welcomed their new teammate to the star-studded batting lineup.

Fernando Tatis Jr. cannot wait to play with Juan Soto

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto are two of the best young players in the league. And the Padres happen to have both jewels by their side. Tatis and Soto know each other for a long time. And since both belong to the same place (Dominican Republic), it is no surprise that Tatis will be happy not to play against his friend, Juan Soto.

Reacting to the Juan Soto trade, Tatis said it is crazy to think he and Soto will play in the same team.?

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?My boy, my hometown boy. I have played together since we were 15, 16. And now we are in the same team. It’s crazy,? Fernando Tatis Jr. said. ?It was something that I really didn’t have in mind. But I am really blessed that it happened… I just gonna say he’s really hyped to be here.?

“I think he was more developed than me, more stronger. And he was always mature on the plate…”

Manny Machado has mixed reactions to the new batting lineup of the Padres

Notably, Eric Hosmer was a huge part of the Padres roster. But the NL side?traded?Hosmer to the AL giants, the Boston Red Sox, to make room for Juan Soto. However, the Padres’ third baseman, Manny Machado, referred to Hosmer as one of his best teammates. He also welcomed Juan Soto to the Padres.

?It’s huge, impact players who are gonna come here and help out this team tremendously? It’s the only worst part of the year… You get one of the best hitters in the game and lose one of the best teammates around in the league… Awful to kind of be a part of it,? said Machado.

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Now, since the Padres have one of the best batting lineups in MLB, do you expect them to challenge for the World Series title this season?