Calling it the biggest trade in deadline history is a bit overdramatic, but there's no doubt the sent a shockwave through the baseball world last week, . Soto is the kind of player who can swing the balance of power in a postseason race and in a postseason series. He's a dynamic, generational hitter, and he's still only 23. "We feel like we're better," Padres GM AJ Preller said during the introductory pre s conference, stating the obvious ( ). "Obviously, he's Juan Soto. He speaks for himself. What he's done at 23 years old and the type of talent he is, Nate Prosser Men Jersey he's arguably the best hitter in baseball. That should be a big help for our club. Getting Josh Bell also, offensively another switch-hitter who's having a great year that can swing the bat, it should help us a lot." . Then the baseball gods humbled them nice and good with a three-game sweep at the hands of the last weekend. It was quite a punch in the face, a good reminder that the road to the World Series goes through Chavez Ravine, and the Padres still have a dragon to slay. Soto was appealing and required such a ma sive prospect package to acquire not only because he's one of the game's best players, but also because he will remain under team control through 2024. The Padres acquired him for three pennant races. This is a franchise that has not been to the postseason in a 162-game season since 2006. Clearly, they are going all-out to get over that hump, beat the Dodgers, and win the franchise's first World Series. Like every other franchise, the Padres have a few questions to answer moving forward, even with Soto in tow. The importance of answering those questions in a positive way is now heightened, because succe s in this game can be fleeting, and the last thing San Diego wants to do is waste the Soto era with a series of bad decisions. Here are four questions facing the franchise as they move forward with the Soto era. SD SS #23 Dominik Bokk Men Jersey This might be San Diego's single biggest question moving forward. , who is nearing a return from his broken wrist, played 20 games in right field and seven in center field in addition to 102 games at his usual shortstop last season. He's also played some center field during his minor-league rehab a signment this year. So, is he a shortstop or an outfielder? "I really don't know yet," . "It depends on once he gets here where our need is. This guy can play any position on the field. I don't think we're saying, 'this is the particular position for him.' It's just as much about conditioning and getting his arm in shape being in the outfield." I don't think there's a wrong answer here. A suming Tatis mans center field rather than right (pushing Soto back to left), he's going to play a premium up-the-middle position either way. This is just something the Padres have to settle. Pick one position and stick with it Tony Twist Men Jersey , and the position they pick will impact the rest of the roster. Consider the 2023 po sibilities: Tatis at SSTatis in CFC C Austin Nola 1B ? 1B ??? 2B 2B Jake Cronenworth SS Fernando Tatis Jr. SS Ha-Seong Kim 3B 3B Manny Machado LF ??? LF ? CF Trent Grisham? CF Fernando Tatis Jr. RF Juan Soto RF Juan Soto DH ??? DH ??? Grisham has regre sed badly since his 2020 rookie season and is having a season good enough to decline his $7.5 million player option and test free agency this winter. Also, Kim has rebounded nicely from his tough rookie season. He's been a league average hitter and an above-average defender this year, perhaps because playing everyday during Tatis' absence allowed him to get more comfortable and into a rhythm. He was a part-time player for the first time in his career in 2021. Again, I don't think there's a wrong answer here, and the two defensive alignments above each have their own pluses and minuses. It's not overly difficult to find a new first baseman and a new DH in the offseason, and if the Padres do put Tatis in center, it's not like they would need to find a new shortstop. Kim is a ready-made replacement. Grisham is important. If the Padres are not committed to sticking with him, then Tatis at short means they'd need outfielders this winter, including a center fielder. That's a lot of work. Personally, I think Tatis is best suited for center field given his skill set (elite speed and an unfortunate knack for errant throws) and I think that's where he fits the roster best. Tatis in center and Kim at short is preferable to Tatis at short, Kim potentially in a super utility role, and a question mark in center. No one asked me though. One way or the other, the time is coming for the Padres to pick one position and put Tatis there permanently. He's been a shortstop, but working out in the outfield isn't an accident. "Wherever they need me," . "We're going to talk. But I've been (doing my rehab work) mostly at shortstop so far. I've been moving around everywhere, but it's been mostly shortstop so far." CBS Sports HQ Newsletter Your Ultimate Guide to Every Day in Sports We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the . Beau Bennett Jersey Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. SD SP #44 Prior to the Soto trade the Padres could plausibly claim they had seven -caliber starting pitchers: , , , , , , and . , but Gore was included in the Soto trade, Clevinger Oskar Sundqvist Jersey and Manaea will be free agents after the season, and Martinez seems to have found a home in the bullpen the last few weeks (plus he can opt out of his contact this winter). That means San Diego's rotation depth chart looks something like this heading into the 2022-23 offseason: Joe MusgroveYu DarvishBlake SnellMaybe Nick Martinez??????? (because every team needs a sixth starter)??? (every team needs a seventh starter too) is having a miserable season in Triple-A (79 runs in 96 innings) and injury history is likely to keep him in the bullpen moving forward (where he has a chance to be great). is a solid depth option more than someone who should be penciled into a contender's Opening Day rotation at this point in his career. Perhaps Triple-A lefty , who came over in the trade and was the No. 12 pick in the 2016 draft, can contribute next year? I'm sure the Padres hope so. Furthermore, Darvish and Snell will become free agents after season, so San Diego's projected 2024 rotation -- Soto's last year of team control -- is Musgrove and four question marks. That's not uncommon (how many teams know who their Nos. 4 and 5 starters will be two years from now?) but y