Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is one of the top available players currently on the Major League Baseball trade market ahead of the league’s Aug. 2 trade deadline. The MLB All-Star is expected to have interest from most title-contending teams across the league, but fans of one team, in particular, should not get their hopes up.
The New York Mets reportedly have strong interest in trading for Soto as the team makes its postseason push, but according to MLB Insider Jon Heyman, the Mets are not a frontrunner to land Sotos for a variety of reasons.
“The Mets, not too likely, in the same division. They don’t want to see Soto there for at least another two-and-a-half years, and with Steve Cohen there probably another 15 years. I don’t think they’re too likely,” Heyman told Audacy.
While Heyman doesn’t think the Mets are likely to trade for Soto, Heyman said he had a list of 10 teams that could acquire him, including several big-market teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Obviously, you’ll see the big-market teams. The Yankees, the Dodgers involved to some degree,” Heyman said. “The big gambling teams that have some money – San Diego, Texas – probably they’re involved, too. It’s going to be very interesting.”
But even with all the interest, Heyman said the Nationals will be asking for a lot in return for their young star, and finding a trade partner could be difficult – especially ahead of the trade deadline.
“The Nats are going to be looking for major-league talent so that’s going to make things very difficult and very interesting,” Heyman Said. “I personally think it’s going to be very difficult. I’ve been told it’s like a Durant trade, and a Durant trade on a deadline.”
[Audacy]
About Kevin Harrish