Earlier this week, ESPN’s Buster Olney dropped a bombshell report that rival executives believe the Washington Nationals would be willing to trade Juan Soto this summer.
Soto turned down a $350 million offer in the offseason. The Nationals are struggling with a 13-26 record entering Friday. Thus the notion appeared as a realistic option.
However, the Nationals and Soto’s super agent say ‘hold fast.’
According to the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, one Nationals source said “that’s not funny” at the thought of a possible Soto. Meanwhile, Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, added a trade is “not happening.”
Juan Soto has become one of MLB’s best players. At the young age of 23, he has become one of the league’s best hitters. He was a runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year in 2018. The following year, he largely contributed to the Nationals winning their first-ever World Series title.
In 2020, he became the youngest NL batting champion at the age of 21. Last season he led MLB with 145 walks, as the most feared hitter in baseball. He already has 106 career home runs.
On one hand it’s completely understandable why pundits believe Soto will be baseball’s first $500 million player. It also makes it hard to believe after turning down a contract offer, the Nationals would think to trade such a star. Especially, with Soto under team control through the 2024 season.
