Why Juan Soto rejected the Nationals’ monster offer, explained

The Washington Nationals offered Juan Soto the moon, but he wanted the sun. Why would the 23-year-old reject a 15-year, $450 million deal?

The offer Washington made to Soto was more in overall dollars than Mike Trout’s record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Angels, leaving many to wonder exactly what he expects in terms of capital.

The contract Soto eventually does sign — assuming he stays on his current trajectory — will exceed that $450 million. If anything, he will push $500 million and then some on the free-agent market.

Perhaps Ken Rosenthal summed it up best in his report, per The Athletic. Soto’s agent is Scott Boras, who is not one to settle. He knows what Soto is worth on the open market:

"“Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, however, generally prefers his clients to establish their values on the market. Soto is on track to become a free agent entering his Age 26 season, and possibly could seek a deal of more than $500 million.”"

How old is Juan Soto?

Soto is just 23 years old, hence the demand and rush for Washington to get a deal done now. He will become a free agent after his age-26 season, in which Boras plans to make him MLB’s first $500 million man. Nats GM Mike Rizzo is on the record stating he wouldn’t trade Soto, but obviously he’s changed course, given the latest news drop.

Mike Trout contract

The contract Soto eventually does sign will exceed that of Trout, at least on his current trajectory. Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million contract in 2019 with Los Angeles, which remains the highest total amount of money ever doled in a contract in baseball history. The most recent offer made to Soto would’ve kept him in Washington (barring trade) through his age-38 season.

Juan Soto career stats

Soto has made the All-Star team each of his last two seasons. He’s already a two-time Silver Slugger, as well. Through five MLB seasons, Soto has 117 home runs 560 hits and a career .292/.427/.540 slash line.

Will Juan Soto be traded?

While Rosenthal and other insiders have admitted that Washington is now taking calls on Soto, it remains unlikely he is traded by the deadline. It would take an immense offer to pry him from Mike Rizzo’s hands.

But as Jon Heyman outlined, Soto had plenty of reasons to decline the Nats’ most recent offer. Trading him while in a situation of unrest isn’t the right solution.