MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers Were Finalist for Juan Soto, Made 'Solid Effort'

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers made a "solid effort" to land the two-time All-Star before the Nationals dealt him to the Padres.

Jorge Castillo @jorgecastillo

The Dodgers were finalists for Juan Soto. They "made a solid effort" and offered several top prospects, per source, but the Nationals (obviously) liked the Padres' offer better. There were also a few other clubs involved.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network and NBC Sports, the Padres, Dodgers and St. LouisCardinals were the three teams that were in the running to win the Home Run Derby.

San Diego was able to get a package of six MLB players and prospects.

Dennis Lin @dennistlin

It's official. The Padres acquired Juan Soto and Josh Bell in exchange for Luke Voit, CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jarlin Susana. Soon, San Diego can pencil in a lineup that includes Soto, Bell, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

The Dodgers have the best record in baseball and are 12 games ahead of the Padres in the NL West.

San Diego is going for it all because of its deadlines. The Padres acquired third baseman Brandon Drury from the Cincinnati Reds and four-time All- Star relief pitcher Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Although the division is out of reach, the Padres are well-positioned to cruise into a wild-card spot, and they could easily be a formidable foe for the Dodgers in the playoffs.

The Dodgers were content to mostly stand pat at the deadline, although they did make a couple of notable moves by acquiring relief pitcher Chris Martin from the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Joey Gallo from the New York Yankees.

The Dodgers have a loaded roster with six All-Stars. Adding Soto would have solidified them as a World Series favorite, but that likely would have led to them trading their top prospect, Diego Cartaya.

L.A. is hoping to stay hot in the summer. The Dodgers will play the second game of a four-game road series against the Giants on Tuesday.