3 New York Mets players the San Diego Padres should demand in a Juan Soto trade

1) New York Mets prospect Drew Gilbert

When the Mets traded Justin Verlander at the trade deadline back to the Houston Astros, Drew Gilbert was the centerpiece of the players that went back to New York. Gilbert was selected in the first round by the Astros in the 2022 draft and has lived up to the billing with a fanstic first full season in professional baseball.

Splitting time in High-A and Double-A in the Astros and Mets organizations, Gilbert has slashed .289/.381/.487 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI this season. He's added 26 doubles and 12 stolen bases.

Gilbert is a player who has all five tools. He's got speed, has shown he can hit for power, puts the ball in play, has a solid eye, and can defend at a premium position. There's not much to dislike here.

The outfield is a place the Padres will have to search for upgrades if a Soto trade did happen. We know Fernando Tatis Jr. will be in right, but Trent Grisham isn't anything super valuable in center, and there is a gaping hole in left that no prospect is ready to fill right now.

While Gilbert might not be ready to go on Opening Day, the fact that he played 95 games in Double-A shows that he's awfully close to being MLB-ready. When Gilbert is ready to go, he looks like a legitimate MLB regular with outstanding potential. He should be the first player the Padres demand in any deal with the Mets.