Might superstar Juan Soto soon be on the move? According to a report, it’s distinctly possible.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Saturday that Soto rejected a $440 million contract offer from the Washington Nationals, who will now “entertain trading him.”
BREAKING: Juan Soto rejects $440M offer. Nationals will now entertain trading him. Story: https://t.co/u4ubuImb2S
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2022
Jon Heyman of the New York Post shed further light on the offer and Soto’s decision to turn it down.
Juan Soto declined $440M, 15-year offer from Nats and will be available now. A few reasons he declined: 1. Heavy backloading of deal is tantamount to big deferral 2. $29M AAV is seen as old figure in light of Scherzer, other deals 3. Team is likely to be sold so owner unknown.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 16, 2022
Naturally, fans of several different MLB teams were hopeful that Soto would end up being traded to their favorite clubs.
Thoughts on a Juan Soto stretch run rental? #LevelUp https://t.co/8puKZapZca
— Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) July 16, 2022
NOWS THE TIME TO START THROWIN THE PROSPECTS YOU HOLD ONTO FOR DEAR LIFE CASHMAN https://t.co/i7IbnO6Ppa
— THE KID MERO 🇩🇴 (@THEKIDMERO) July 16, 2022
I’m going to Little Caesar’s real quick to do my part @tigers @IlitchCompanies don’t let us down. https://t.co/tc3AsGV1Bj
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) July 16, 2022
It’s time. https://t.co/kwDT3Na1o0 pic.twitter.com/dlIMnCQGLj
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) July 16, 2022
Should the #SFGiants jump head first into the Juan Soto sweepstakes and which prospects would be on the table?@JDJohnDickinson and @KyleAMadson are reacting to this now!
☎️888-957-9570
📻https://t.co/BHBxPWYbg5 https://t.co/PP9JH475tb— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 16, 2022
Hello @CleGuardians https://t.co/tCZ9GDLwGR
— Offseason Chopz (@Pchopz_) July 16, 2022
There were other reactions, as well, from speculation on what kind of haul Soto might get to different commentary on Washington’s offer.
This trade package is going to be wild
Think a talented big leaguer, multiple high end prospects AND taking back one of the Nats bad contracts would all be on the table https://t.co/5nFm0QAMUU
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) July 16, 2022
I actually respect Soto turning down this huge money, as opposed to some athletes (** cough ** Watson… **cough ** Durant) who lock in the big bucks and then immediately demand a trade with 4+ years left on their deals https://t.co/RXgPLLZCKH
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) July 16, 2022
$440 million!? https://t.co/DzGbe9zTWO pic.twitter.com/4OSpvZTJGp
— 🍣 (@LCquieresushi) July 16, 2022
He turned down $440 million?? https://t.co/L2RNOP87mH pic.twitter.com/HrVgKW8UTL
— Brian T. Jones, Sr. (@BJonesSports) July 16, 2022
AAV was only $29.33. Soto will easily command mid $30s. Especially 8 years from now, him making $29M would be a major underpay. Makes sense for him to decline this offer. Esp with 2.5 years left on his current contract. https://t.co/kHsUCgef6h
— Big Sox Guy (@bigsoxguy) July 16, 2022
The Miggy trade works as decent trade framework (2yrs of Miggy vs. 2.5yrs of Soto). But yeah, the team that gets the generation talent is gonna be one that winds up happiest, not the team that gets the prospects. https://t.co/5JKZeuChkw
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) July 16, 2022
Let’s start at half a billi or let’s not start all… https://t.co/lCZigxzSN4
— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) July 16, 2022
It’s also important to remember that Soto wouldn’t be a rental player — at least not if he’s traded this year. He has two years of arbitration remaining before hitting free agency.
As such, while the Nationals may be fielding offers, there’s not a huge hurry to make this trade happen. If Soto isn’t traded before the August 2 deadline in 2022, Washington would still have two years to either deal Soto or reach an extension with him.
Obviously big news here, but there’s a big difference between “entertain trading him” and “trade him.” Sense I’ve always gotten is that Rizzo would have to be overwhelmed with a can’t-say-no offer to do it at this year’s trade deadline. https://t.co/bvBFVfQGGm
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 16, 2022
However, because of that, dealing Soto would bring in a massive haul. There is no doubt that teams around baseball will be lining up with huge trade offers. Soto is a career .292/.427/.540 hitter, has 19 home runs this year and is still only 24.
If Soto is going to be traded this year, the best bet would be that he’ll go to a contending team. But because of his age and contract status, that wouldn’t be a guarantee. If a team feels it can compete by 2024, it would make sense to at least explore the possibility of trading for Soto. If that team is contending this year, great. If not, the team would have two years to make something happen.
This will be one of the more interesting stories to follow going forward. Expect many twists and turns along the way.