Juan Soto rumors: 5 monstrous trade packages to land Nationals star

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 06: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 06: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Juan Soto rumors
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 1: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals at bat during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 1, 2022 in New York City. The Mets won 5-0. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Juan Soto rumors: The Mets trade package to land him

The New York Mets certainly could afford to pay Juan Soto to stick around beyond his current contract obligations. Behind Steve Cohen’s dollars, trading for him now would only be phase one of what fans would hope is a long-term relationship.

Although the Mets and Nationals play in the same division, the right deal shouldn’t be turned down by Washington to get it done. However, it could cost New York a little more with a trade like this:

The other five players would be Alex Ramirez, Dominic Hamel, Jose Butto, and Mike Vasil.

In this trade, the Mets take on a part of Stephen Strasburg’s contract. The Nationals are already paying Max Scherzer to pitch for New York this year. Why not make things a little freakier and have both clubs pay each player a little bit of the money?

Washington completely depletes the New York farm system in this trade with Francisco Alvarez as the big addition. And while they have Keibert Ruiz already, they could always contemplate trading one of these young catchers somewhere else to help them in the more immediate future.

There is definitely a tax on any trade between the Nationals and a fellow National League East club. This trade makes the Mets heavy favorites in 2022 and maybe even into 2023. Beyond that, they’re going to have to hope they draft well, players stay healthy, and Juan Soto agrees to an extension.