Juan Soto rumors: Team viewed by rivals as potential frontrunners for Nationals outfielder

According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman, rival executives believe that this team has emerged as potential frontrunners to acquire Juan Soto.

The Washington Nationals have a choice to make come Aug. 2 — do they trade Juan Soto, or hold onto him for the remainder of the season? That decision will have to be made after the team began considering trade offers after Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract extension. Seven teams have reportedly started discussions with the Nationals regarding a Soto trade.

Apparently, a favorite has emerged.

Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported in their latest article that rival executives view the St. Louis Cardinals as the favorites to acquire Soto.

Rivals believe Cardinals are potential frontrunners for Juan Soto

Heyman and Sherman bring up that “a few suitors” were told that the Nationals have their eyes set on one or two teams, and the Cardinals are one of them. That, and they write “there’s word that [the Nationals] like a lot of the Cardinals’ young players and prospects.”

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on July 23 that the Nationals were looking for four-to-five young players (a combination of prospects and major leaguers with low service time) in return for Soto.

The Cardinals have one of the better farm systems in the major leagues, ranking 16th in the majors by MLB Pipeline. Heyman and Sherman highlighting top prospect and No. 7 ranked prospect in the entire league Jordan Walker, pitcher Matthew Liberatore, and shortstop Masyn Winn.

If St. Louis is able to bring in Soto at the deadline, that would certainly provide a boost in their NL Central race with the Milwaukee Brewers. Contract negotiations will, of course, be something for the team to worry about. But, Soto does not hit free agency until the end of the 2024 season.

With the trade deadline just over a week away, you may have to pay close attention to the Cardinals in regards to a Soto trade. But, that is all dependent on if the Nationals view any potential offers as adequate enough for them to move on from their star outfielder.