The Washington Nationals and superstar Juan Soto have agreed to a one-year, $17.1 million deal to avoid arbitration, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Soto’s salary doubles from the $8.5 million he received last season. His new deal exceeds arbitration projections of $16.2 million.
Coming off an NL batting title the previous season, Soto hit .313/.465/.534 with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs in 151 games in 2021. He also drew an MLB-leading 145 walks against 93 strikeouts.
Despite being just 23 years of age, Juan Soto has established himself as one of the best pure hitters in baseball. He also is an elite-level power hitter – 98 home runs in 464 career games. The combination of styles at the plate has made him one of the most exciting players in all of MLB.
Soto remains under team control through 2024. The Nationals appear intent to keep their franchise player long-term and build around him. However, Soto confirmed he turned down the club’s $350 million extension offer.
Baseball pundits project Soto will become MLB’s first $500 million player when he strikes his post-rookie contract. There is still time for both teams to get a longer deal done. But, forgive Nats fans for being concerned that Soto doesn’t turn into the next Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon, who left in free agency because the team didn’t pony up the money to keep them.
For now, Soto’s deal is set for 2022. He’ll slot in the middle of the lineup along with sluggers Josh Bell and the recently-signed Nelson Cruz.
