The Washington Nationals have approached star outfielder Juan Soto with two contract extension offers.
The first one, made months ago, was worth $350 million over 13 years.
It was rejected by Soto’s camp.
This weekend, it was revealed they offered the talented slugger and perennial MVP candidate $440 million over 15 years.
It was rejected by Soto’s camp, too.
With two-and-a-half seasons of team control, the Nationals (and Soto’s) clock to extend him is clicking.
Word is that the team would like to approach Soto with a third and final extension offer.
“SOURCE: The Nationals plan to make a better offer to Juan Soto, which will be their last. If Soto does not accept, he will be traded,” MLB reporter Hector Gomez tweeted.
SOURCE: The Nationals plan to make a better offer to Juan Soto, which will be their last. If Soto does not accept, he will be traded. https://t.co/PCON9u94If
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) July 17, 2022
Soto has a career line of .293/.427/.541: contact, on-base ability and power, all at an elite level.
An Accomplished Young Star
He also has 118 home runs, a World Series ring, a batting title, two Silver Slugger awards, and two All-Star berths.
The key number here, however, is 23: that’s his age.
Many 23-year-old players are still trying to find their footing at Double-A and Triple-A.
Soto, meanwhile, has four seasons of elite play and a whole life (and career) ahead of him.
Teams interested know that they would be acquiring a surefire star.
That’s why it has been rumored that his price tag could get close to $500 million.
If that’s the case, the Nats may end up trading him for a huge return package.
It could be the biggest trade in recent memory, and it could include several top prospects heading to the Nats.
The player has a desire to remain in Washington, but has no issues with testing the free agent market if that’s where life (and baseball) takes him.
