SF Giants pitcher responds to Juan Soto's "good luck" comment

The MLB trade deadline passed Tuesday evening, meaning teams can't make deals to acquire help from other rosters for the rest of the season. The SF Giants were plenty active, making four total trades: two that sent off players integral to 2021's 107-win roster in Darin Ruf and Curt Casali, as well as a pair involving relievers who had not thrown a pitch for the big club sent to Milwaukee and Tampa Bay.

Farhan Zaidi and the front office did not end up making a big acquisition - either of prospects or a major star - by sending off either of their most valuable trade chips, Carlos Rodon and Joc Pederson or minor league standouts, possibly in hopes that the squad can turn their season around and threaten for a championship as some recent World Series titlists have done.

In contrast, National League West division rival San Diego did make a splash. In fact, they sent what is considered by many as the biggest prospect haul ever at the trade deadline to the Washington Nationals for MLB superstar Juan Soto.

Soto, at just 23 years old, has already won a World Series and a batting title and is considered one of the top hitters of this generation with still a few years before he hits free agency. His addition strengthens an already-good Padres lineup that is awaiting the return of their other young superstar, Fernando Tatis Jr., from surgery.

In his introductory press conference Wednesday afternoon at Petco Park, Soto responded to a question about the team's lineup (10:10 mark at the above link) by saying it would be "really exciting" and "really tough to go through".

The outfielder then added, "I wish good luck to the other pitchers," eliciting a laugh from the room.

SF Giants pitcher gives humored reply

The clip spread throughout baseball Twitter, with the usual celebrations by Padres fans and put-downs from trolling Dodgers fans. It also got the attention of players, notably Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb - who responded with a simple gif of a sarcastic laugh:

While some likely wrote off Webb as being overconfident, he has backed up his bravado with results - over their short careers, Webb has retired Soto every time the two have faced off.

It remains to be seen what will happen the next time the Giants and Padres play, but at least Webb knows he can retire San Diego's new star.