MLB has been in a stir since ESPN’s Buster Olney dropped the rumor that the Washington Nationals could consider trading Juan Soto this summer.
There appeared to be validity to the story considering where the Nationals are in the standings this year. The team is also in a rebuild, and Juan Soto turned down a mega deal of $350 million.
But reporters have worked to dispute or confirm the initial report in the past few weeks. That included Soto’s agent Scott Boras. However, Nationals general manager and president of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo put all the trade talks to rest.
“We are not trading Juan Soto,” Rizzo said appearing on 106.7 the Fan’s the Sports Junkies. “We’ve made it clear to his agent and to the player.”
Soto will make $17.1 million this season. He’ll be under team control for the next two seasons before he can hit free agency.
“We have every intention of building this team around Juan Soto,” Rizzo added. We’ve spoken to his agent many, many times — recently sat with him when he was in Washington, D.C., made it clear to him that we are not interested in trading him, and I guess the rest of the world just doesn’t believe it. But that’s our position.”
The Nationals have time to either work out a deal with Soto or make the tough call on his future with the team. Soto won’t reach free agency until after the 2024 season.
Rizzo certainly could just going the rounds with his comments. What GM would admit to trade talks? But even if the Nats consider the unthinkable, it’s a decision that doesn’t need to happen this year.
Besides, there’s a great chance the Nationals are sold to new owners. And the potential sale could keep Soto in D.C. for now, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman. What new owner wants to buy the Nationals without Soto as the main attraction?
