3 Blue Jays players the Padres should demand in a Juan Soto trade

1) The San Diego Padres should demand Ricky Tiedemann in a Juan Soto trade with the Blue Jays

Ricky Tiedemann is the most valuable piece the Padres can realistically get. No, as fun as it'd be, the Padres will not be acquiring Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a Soto trade. That'd just make no sense.

It's been rumored that the Padres are looking for pitching in a Soto deal. Tiedemann might not be ready immediately on Opening Day, but he should be able to contribute in 2024 at the big league level if he stays healthy, and is one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball.

The southpaw is the top prospect in Toronto's system and is ranked 31st overall according to MLB Pipeline. He's a top-five pitching prospect in the sport, and projects as a frontline starter in the future.

Tiedemann was limited to just 15 starts this past season as he dealt with a bicep injury, but he pitched well when healthy, posting a 3.68 ERA in 44 innings pitched. Command can elude him at times, but he fanned 82 batters in those innings, displaying elite stuff and strikeout potential. When he's on, he's virtually impossible to hit.

The 20-year-old made it up to Triple-A where he made one start, and then he dominated in his four Arizona Fall League outings. It remains to be seen whether Toronto is willing to include him in a deal for a rental, but if they are, the Padres must consider it. He's more valuable than any arm the Yankees are able to offer outside of Gerrit Cole (not happening).