Might superstar Juan Soto soon be on the move? According to a report, it’s distinctly possible.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Saturday that Soto rejected a $440 million contract offer from the Washington Nationals, who will now “entertain trading him.”
Jon Heyman of the New York Post shed further light on the offer and Soto’s decision to turn it down.
Naturally, fans of several different MLB teams were hopeful that Soto would end up being traded to their favorite clubs.
Thoughts on a Juan Soto stretch run rental? #LevelUp https://t.co/8puKZapZca
— Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) July 16, 2022
I’m going to Little Caesar’s real quick to do my part @tigers @IlitchCompanies don’t let us down. https://t.co/tc3AsGV1Bj
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) July 16, 2022
Should the #SFGiants jump head first into the Juan Soto sweepstakes and which prospects would be on the table?@JDJohnDickinson and @KyleAMadson are reacting to this now!
888-957-9570 https://t.co/BHBxPWYbg5 https://t.co/PP9JH475tb — 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 16, 2022
There were other reactions, as well, from speculation on what kind of haul Soto might get to different commentary on Washington’s offer.
I actually respect Soto turning down this huge money, as opposed to some athletes (** cough ** Watson… **cough ** Durant) who lock in the big bucks and then immediately demand a trade with 4+ years left on their deals https://t.co/RXgPLLZCKH
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) July 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/LCquieresushi/status/1548350229627293696
He turned down $440 million?? https://t.co/L2RNOP87mH pic.twitter.com/HrVgKW8UTL
— Brian T. Jones, Sr. (@BJonesSports) July 16, 2022
AAV was only $29.33. Soto will easily command mid $30s. Especially 8 years from now, him making $29M would be a major underpay. Makes sense for him to decline this offer. Esp with 2.5 years left on his current contract. https://t.co/kHsUCgef6h
— Big Sox Guy (@BigSoxGuy) July 16, 2022
The Miggy trade works as decent trade framework (2yrs of Miggy vs. 2.5yrs of Soto). But yeah, the team that gets the generation talent is gonna be one that winds up happiest, not the team that gets the prospects. https://t.co/5JKZeuChkw
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) July 16, 2022
Let’s start at half a billi or let’s not start all… https://t.co/lCZigxzSN4
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) July 16, 2022
It’s also important to remember that Soto wouldn’t be a rental player — at least not if he’s traded this year. He has two years of arbitration remaining before hitting free agency.
As such, while the Nationals may be fielding offers, there’s not a huge hurry to make this trade happen. If Soto isn’t traded before the August 2 deadline in 2022, Washington would still have two years to either deal Soto or reach an extension with him.
However, because of that, dealing Soto would bring in a massive haul. There is no doubt that teams around baseball will be lining up with huge trade offers. Soto is a career .292/.427/.540 hitter, has 19 home runs this year and is still only 24.
If Soto is going to be traded this year, the best bet would be that he’ll go to a contending team. But because of his age and contract status, that wouldn’t be a guarantee. If a team feels it can compete by 2024, it would make sense to at least explore the possibility of trading for Soto. If that team is contending this year, great. If not, the team would have two years to make something happen.
This will be one of the more interesting stories to follow going forward. Expect many twists and turns along the way.