MLB insider on Juan Soto trade this season: Highly doubt it

For those MLB fans hoping that their favorite team is able to trade for Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto this year, FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray says to pump the brakes.

The 2022 MLB season is over a month old, and the Washington Nationals sit in last place in the NL East division. The team sold at the deadline last season, with Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber being the headliners. This year, there are rumors circulating about the team trading star outfielder Juan Soto.

In the latest episode of “The Baseball Insiders” podcast, FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray said he does not expect to see the Nationals trading Soto at the deadline this year.

You can listen to Murray’s comments at the 21:10 mark of the YouTube link in the above tweet.

Nationals trading Juan Soto not likely to happen

Murray says that while things could change about Soto’s status with the Nationals once he gets closer to free agency, but he does not see the team actually trading him this year. He does say, however, that he thinks the most likely trade candidate in Washington is Nelson Cruz, who the team signed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2023 this offseason.

Soto and the Nationals have not been able to reach an agreement on a contract extension, and the clock is ticking, as the star, young outfielder is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024 season. In fact, a report from ESPN’s Enrique Rojas noted that Soto turned down a 13-year, $350 million contract extension offer from the team before the MLB lockout earlier this year.

Spotrac projects that Soto’s market value could result in him earning a 15-year, $503.7 million contract.

This season, Soto is slashing .250/.393/.471 while recording eight home runs, 11 RBI, 26 runs and 35 hits through 39 games.

Trading Soto in 2022 is not likely, per Murray, and Nationals fans sure must be happy to hear that.