MLB Rumors: Two Teams To Watch As Nationals Could Be "Motivated" To Trade Juan Soto

Safe to say that the Washington Nationals will not be pulling a 2019 second-half turnaround to go on another World Series run. At least not this season. With a 12-26 record, the 2nd-worst in the National League, the Nats will continue to look to the future for the rest of the 2022 season. Which is why a potential Juan Soto trade is rumored to be on the table. 

According to MLB Insider Buster Olney, "rival execs say the Nationals might well be compelled -- and motivated -- to move Soto this summer." And he says that his front-office contacts point to two teams who have the assets, and could be motivated to trade for Soto, including the San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays. 

As has been well-documented, Soto already turned down a monstrous $350M extension from the Nationals this past offseason, as he and agent Scott Boras seem to have sights on Soto becoming the first Half-Billion Dollar Man. 

In only 4+ seasons, the 23-year-old has already established himself as perhaps the best hitter in the game, and he's set to become a free agent after the 2024 season. The return he could fetch the Nationals on the trade market right now is absolutely mind-boggling. 

One of Olney's sources says "If they're not going to sign him [to a long-term deal], then they'll need to trade him. The question is: When?"

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports