Nationals: What to make of Juan Soto extension reports

What exactly should Washington Nationals fans expect from the variety of the reports regarding a Juan Soto contract extension.

This week, there were a variety of reports regarding a potential contract extension for Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto. First there was a report that claimed the Nationals offered Soto a 13-year, $425 million contract offer. Then, there was a report from Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, who said that Soto turned down a 13-year, $350 million contract offer last season and that they made a larger offer this past spring.

So, what exactly can Nationals fans make of the recent reports. Will an extension for Soto come sooner rather than later?

What to make of the Juan Soto contract extension reports

Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic points out in a recent article that there is believed to be active discussions going on between Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, and the Nationals. Ghiroli does bring up, however, that Boras does usually want his clients to test free agency. Soto hits the open market after the 2024 season.

There is also the talk of the Nationals current ownership, the Lerner family, trying to sell the team. That could also alter the contract extension talks.

Dougherty did recently speak with Soto regarding contract negotiations. He said that he did decline the aforementioned $350 million offer, but said that he is open to discussions. Soto also added that the team and Boras are talking, saying that he prefers to focus on the game.

Soto did make interesting comments when asked about potentially testing free agency.

"“Everybody wants to go to free agency and see how the market is going to be for them,” said Soto, h/t The Washington Post. “But for me, I really don’t know if I want to go there or if I want to stay here. I feel really good here. We’ll see what’s going to happen. For me, right now, the plan that we always have is go year by year. But you don’t know what the future has for you.”"

When asked by Dougherty if he would accept a contract extension before free agency, Soto said “yeah, why not?”

Considering Soto is not a free agent until the end of the 2024 campaign, Nationals fans just have to be a bit patient.