According to a well-known MLB insider in New York, Juan Soto’s former team, the Washington Nationals, may pursue him in free agency this winter.
The New York Yankees lead the American League East and have baseball’s best record entering today’s games. While other players deserve credit for their strong starts, including Luis Gil and Anthony Volpe, Juan Soto has been the team’s MVP.
After trading for him this offseason, the 26-year-old has exceeded their expectations. However, while he has been a significant addition to the roster, there is no assurance he will continue there beyond this season. His outstanding performance on the largest platform has only boosted what will be a historic move into MLB free agency following the season.
Juan Soto is predicted to earn roughly a half-billion dollars in his next contract, and despite the high price, he will have many bidders, similar to Shohei Ohtani late last year. While the Yankees are the favorites to keep him, the New York Mets and wealthy owner Steve Cohen are also likely to be strong suitors.
However, late last week, New York Post MLB insider Joel Sherman suggested three more teams that could be in contention, one of which will surprise many baseball fans. First, he stated in a recent piece that the “Cubs and Blue Jays were in on Ohtani, and I would imagine they would try to be aggressive on Soto considering his age and impact.”
Neither team is really unexpected. The Cubs are a wealthy organization that has historically spent heavily on top players. While the Blue Jays were allegedly close to reaching an agreement with Ohtani, the Dodgers made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Furthermore, if they sell Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before July 30, then the money they would have used to re-sign either would now go to Soto.
Will the Washington Nationals try to bring back Juan Soto?
Sherman did, however, make an intriguing case for the Nationals, Soto’s initial team, as a potential contender in the quest for the soon-to-be four-time All-Star.
“Could the Nationals decide to have their baseball cake and eat it, too? They are reaping the advantages of their return by moving Soto to the Padres for players like CJ Abrams and Mackenzie Gore, as well as outfielder James Wood, who is not far away,” Sherman said. “Keibert Ruiz has six years at $40 million left, and that is the only long-term money Washington has invested moving forward.”
“There have been persistent rumors that the Nationals will be sold.” If that happens in the short term, what better way to make a statement to the fans than to return Soto home?”
Juan Soto spent his first four and a half seasons in the league with the Nationals, helping them capture their only World Series championship in 2019. He declined a 15-year, $450 million contract from the team a few years ago, although he apparently wanted to stay with the franchise.
