First Pitch: 3 teams that benefit from Nationals not trading Juan Soto

Angels benefit from Juan Soto negotiations

There are several ways to look at this from the Angels perspective.

First, Soto would make some sense in their outfield next to Mike Trout. However, it would also make for a lot of money tied up in three players — Trout, Soto and soon enough, Shohei Ohtani.

If Los Angeles doesn’t make a serious playoff run in the time Soto and the Nats are negotiating that new deal, then expect them to make a big splash. Whether that’s Soto or another star-caliber player remains to be seen.

Perhaps most importantly, though, isn’t the possibility of the Angels trading for Soto. No, it’s what Los Angeles decides to do with Ohtani once his contract is up.

Soto is among the faces of the game. So is Ohtani. The former will reset the market, but the Angels face some tough negotiations of their own in the latter.

Ohtani’s longevity has been brought into question by front office executives ever since his breakout season. As great as he’s been, it’s a legitimate suggestion: Can Ohtani have a long-term baseball career as a two-way player?

Soto’s extension potentially coming before Ohtani’s is critical. Whatever Soto gets, Ohtani will surely want something similar, or more, in AAV.

It’s an intriguing conversation in the years to come.