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The best young hitter in baseball could be on the move during the 2022 MLB trade deadline. The Washington Nationals are reportedly listening to offers for Juan Soto, and multiple teams are preparing bids ahead of baseball’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline on Aug. 2.
The 24-year-old Soto was put on the trade block last month after he declined a $440 million contract extension from Washington. The Nationals’ deal would have guaranteed Soto more money than any player in MLB history, but with a 15-year offer, Soto’s annual salary of $29.33 million would have been only the 20th-highest in baseball history had he accepted the deal.
Soto is under team control for two seasons after this one. If a team acquires him at this year’s deadline, they would have three postseasons runs with Soto before he cashes in what will likely be the biggest contract ever. Soto and agent Scott Boras could seek a $500 million deal.
The Nationals enter the trade deadline with the worst record in baseball at 35-69 overall. Washington doesn’t have to trade Soto right now, but it feels like a certainty he’ll be moved before he enters free agency. Insiders are confident Soto will be moved at this year’s trade deadline.
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We’ll be keeping track of every serious Soto rumor until he’s traded in this post.
Source: #Padres on the verge of acquiring Juan Soto. Deal is believed to be nearing final stages. @MLBNetwork @MLB— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi)
Executives around the league believe the momentum for Soto to the Padres is gaining steam. However, let’s not forget the exact same scenario happened last year with San Diego and Max Scherzer. Still, many believe that Soto will be a Padre by the end of the day.— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand)
NEWS: #Nats are in process of calling up multiple minor leaguers to @MLB club — a sign that trades are imminent. @MLBNetwork— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi)
In the Juan Soto sweepstakes, sources say 3 finalists remain -- the #Padres, #STLCards, and #Dodgers. The #BlueJays inquired in July but are not actively discussing Soto with the #Nats. @MLBNetwork @Sportsnet— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi)
There’s three teams making serious offers for Soto. The Los Angeles Dodgers are baseball’s biggest spender, and always seemed like a natural fit for Soto given his contract demands. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball on deadline day at 69-33 overall. The San Diego Padres are 12 games behind the Dodgers on deadline day at 58-46, but they’ve also been a major player for big free agents in recent years. The Padres should get Fernando Tatís Jr. back from injury soon, and pairing him with Soto and Manny Machado would form one of baseball’s most fearsome lineups. The St. Louis Cardinals, currently on the outside looking in at the wildcard race, are also a suitor for Soto.
It’s notable that the Mets and Yankees aren’t in the mix to this point.
As the trade deadline approaches, there is a growing sense that the Padres are the most likely landing spot for Juan Soto — and, in a twist, perhaps Josh Bell too. Multiple people have heard there’s momentum in those talks.— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga)
Padres and Nats are talking about a package of both Juan Soto and Josh Bell and word is they are being aggressive. @barrysvrluga suggested there's momentum— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman)
Bell is having a tremendous year for Washington so far. The 29-year-old first baseman is hitting .301/.384/.493 with 14 home runs on deadline day.
If the potential deal between #Nationals #Padres actually goes down the Nationals return is expected to be centered around SS C.J. Abrams,OF Robert Hassell III, LHP Adrian Morejon and at least 2 others in the transaction with Josh Bell being included with Soto going the other way— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM)
Expected C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, Adrian Morejon, and two more players going to Washington if the Padres can pull off a Soto trade.
Rays in mix along with Mets for Cubs’ Willson Contreras, sources tell @TheAthletic. Possible fallback for Padres, too, if SD does not land Soto.— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal)
The #STLCards have yet to include Dylan Carlson in a multi-player offer for Juan Soto. Unless that changes in the hours ahead, Soto is likely to become a Padre or Dodger. @MLBNetwork @MLB— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi)
In Juan Soto trade talks, #STLCards haven’t been willing to include Dylan Carlson *and* their top prospects in the same offer — at least, thus far. Negotiations are reaching a critical point. @MLBNetwork— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi)
