Washington Nationals open to listening to Juan Soto commerce gives after $440M contract rejected

The Washington Nationals are keen to take heed to commerce gives for Juan Soto after the star outfielder rejected their most up-to-date long-term provide, league sources confirmed to ESPN.

Sources stated Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 million provide that may have been the biggest contract in baseball historical past.

Soto had instructed ESPN earlier this 12 months that he declined a 13-year, $350 million provide previous to the offseason lockout. He’s eligible to change into a free agent after the 2024 season.

The choice to take heed to potential trades for Soto would signify a change of plans for the Nationals, after president of baseball operations and normal supervisor Mike Rizzo stated final month that the staff wouldn’t transfer the 23-year-old star.

“We’re not buying and selling Juan Soto,” Rizzo instructed 106.7 The Fan on June 1. “We made it clear to his agent and to the participant.”

However in response to The Athletic, which first reported on the newest rejected contract provide and the Nationals being open to listening to potential trades, some staff officers not imagine they’ll have the ability to attain any long-term cope with Soto.

The anticipated return in a Soto commerce would jump-start a Nationals rebuild. They’re 30-62 this season, sitting in final place within the Nationwide League East by 14½ video games and on monitor for a 3rd straight dropping season after successful the World Sequence in 2019.

Named an All-Star for the second straight season, Soto is hitting a career-low .247 in 2022 with 19 dwelling runs and 42 RBIs in 89 video games. He’s additionally set to compete in Monday’s Residence Run Derby.

The MLB commerce deadline is Aug. 2.