Washington Nationals star outfielder Juan Soto still doesn’t have the contract extension many expect him to land. It’s not without the Nationals making an effort to lock him in long-term.
It’s already public knowledge Soto turned down the Nationals’ offer of $350 million over 13 years sometime before the MLB lockout. Now, the latest report says Soto rejected a second offer for Washington.
According to the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty, Soto turned down a second offer this past spring that exceeded the Nationals’ original offer. Terms of the second offer are unknown.
Talks between Soto and the Nationals have continued despite the latest rejection. Soto was seen having a conversation with his agent Scott Boras in the dugout at Nationals Park on May 23. The Nationals’ most recent offer was within the same week before Boras’ visit, according to Dougherty.
Earlier Thursday, MLB insider Hector Gomez reported the Nationals had made Soto an offer of $425 million over 13 years. The reported numbers were refuted by multiple Nationals reporters and referred to as “inaccurate.”
Soto previously said he prefers to play on a year-to-year contract. He presumably was referring to his final three years of arbitration with his rookie deal.
Soto remains under the Nats’ control through the 2024 season. He is playing this season with a $17.1 million salary.
Despite the lack of a new deal, the Nationals remain committed to Soto. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo’s comment of “we’re not trading Juan Soto” came after the club’s latest offer based on Dougherty’s reporting.
Soto is in his fifth year with Washington. Since debuting in MLB at the age of 19, Soto has emerged as one of the better young players in baseball and the face of the Nationals’ franchise.
He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2018. At the age of 20 he was a key cog to Washington’s World Series title in 2019. In 2020 he became the youngest NL batting champion at age 21.
Last season he drew an MLB most 145 walks. Despite having a .224 batting average this season, he leads the majors once again with 63 walks. Although he has struggled at the plate this year, Soto is a .290 hitter with 112 career home runs before his 24th birthday.
His young age, accolades and potential makes him a viable candidate to become MLB’s first $500 million player. With each rejection, thoughts of his asking price being that of a half billion dollars seem valid.
