Juan Soto rumors: Mike Rizzo’s latest comment throws a wrench in trade market

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo reveals that the team is not looking to throw big contracts into a Juan Soto trade.

The Washington Nationals have reached the point where they are actually considering trading star outfielder Juan Soto after he turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract. There have been reports of teams linked to Soto and there has been countless speculation about how a trade can transpire. One of the big things heard in reports is interested teams taking on bad contracts on the Nationals to lessen the value the trade package for Soto.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo appeared on “The Sports Junkies” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington D.C., and said he has no desire to include a bad contract to lessen the return they would get in a Soto trade.

You can listen to the full interview below, courtesy of 106.7 The Fan.

Mike Rizzo has zero desire to include a bad contract in a Juan Soto trade

In regards to a bad contract, one that has been included in reports is starting pitcher Patrick Corbin’s. He was signed ahead of the 2019 season to a six-year, $140 million contract. While he did play a role in the team reaching and winning the World Series that year, his numbers have gotten progressively worse over the years.

As of this writing, Corbin leads the leagues in losses (13), hits allowed (142), and earned runs (70) through 20 starts this season.

Corbin has two years remaining on his deal, where he carries a salary of $24 million in 2023 and $35 million in 2024.

Soto is still under contract with the Nationals through the 2024 season, so it is not necessarily a guarantee that he does end up getting traded by the Aug. 2 deadline. As Rizzo mentions, he wants full value in return for Soto if he is to trade him. So for teams looking to hopefully drive down the asking price by taking on a bad contract such as Corbin’s, Rizzo is not interested.