Nationals Reach Deal to Trade Juan Soto To Padres After Star Rejects Mega-Offer

WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington Nationals reached an agreement to trade superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday after he turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension, which would have been the largest contract in Major League Baseball history.

The trade agreement, first announced by the MLB Network, came several hours before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline. Josh Bell, who has been with the Nationals for the past two seasons, primarily playing first base, was also traded to the Padres as part of the agreement. Bell was in the final year of his contract and was scheduled to become a free agent during the upcoming off-season.

In return for Soto and Bell, the Nationals received major-leaguers and prospects from the Padres, including pitcher Mackenzie Gore, shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder Robert Hassell, outfielder James Wood, pitcher Jarlin Susana and veteran first baseman Luke Voit.

After it became clear that Soto did not want to stay in Washington after news leaked in July that he had rejected the mega-offer, the Nationals started listening to trade offers for the 23-year-old, whose trade value would likely be at its highest this summer.

Soto, an outfielder, burst onto the scene in 2018 when he was called up to the majors in May. In his first at-bat for the Nationals, Soto hit a home run. He went on to hit 22 home runs and knock in 70 RBI in his rookie year. In 2019, he was part of the National's World Series championship team.

The Lerner family, the majority owners of the Nationals, are currently trying to sell the Nationals. The trade of Soto is unlikely to affect the value of the Nationals, given that Soto's trade will likely speed up the rebuilding process for the Nationals. The Lerners are expected to fetch at least $2 billion in the sale of the team, according to reports.

After outfielder Bryce Harper left the team in free agency in 2018, the Nationals were hoping to build the team around Soto. But with Scott Boras as his agent, the Nationals knew it was going to be tough to sign Soto to an extension before his current contract expires after the 2024 season. Boras is well known for advising his clients to test free agency.

In his four-and-half seasons with the Nationals, Soto played in only 565 games due to the shortened season in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He leaves the Nationals with a .291 batting average and an amazing .427 on-base percentage.