Handshake SZN: Did Cardinals and Nationals just agree to Juan Soto trade on live TV? (No)
By Scott Rogust
The internet is convinced that the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals struck a deal on a Juan Soto trade on live television.
When it comes to the MLB trade deadline, fans are always on “prospects getting pulled from games alert” and “hug watch” between players in a dugout. So it is no hock that the internet feels that a huge trade is on the horizon due to a simple handshake shown on camera.
During the July 31 game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals, general managers John Mozeliak and Mike Rizzo were shown during the broadcast shaking each other’s hands. Upon seeing this image, the internet believed that a Juan Soto trade was agreed upon.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak and Nats GM Mike Rizzo just shook hands.
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) July 31, 2022
What does it mean? pic.twitter.com/T8IMw7cFyd
Mike Rizzo of the Nationals and John Mozeliak of the Cardinals were seen chatting today pic.twitter.com/07qE2AJkkc
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 31, 2022
Does Mike Rizzo and John Mozeliak handshake mean Juan Soto trade is coming?
For those wondering if this was proof that the Cardinals and Nationals agreed to a Soto trade, the answer is no. No, no, no. No.
Both Rizzo and Mozeliak could both be talking about the game they are watching at Nationals Park. Hey, they could be talking about a Patrick Corbin trade. The thing is, no one knows what both were talking about, and they are not going to tell us.
Twitter had some fun talking about the Mozeliak and Rizzo handshake.
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1553803558130270209?s=20&t=NAzILr-Lt1UIc_lVWKTawA
I'm gonna laugh so hard if we find out after the game that Mozeliak traded for Anibal Sanchez and that's it. https://t.co/TWedd2aawl
— Cardinals Stats And Facts (@STL_Stats_Facts) July 31, 2022
Plot twist: John Mozeliak just secured a deal to purchase the Nationals #STLCards https://t.co/HrPUqwjnqA
— Sarah Anne ⚾️ (@sarahanne1212) July 31, 2022
If Rizzo and Mozeliak were making a deal, they wouldn’t be doing it in the press box where they know cameras will see them.
— NexGen Nats (@NexGenNats) July 31, 2022
Once Rizzo and Mozeliak shake hands like this, we know a deal has been struck! #STLCards pic.twitter.com/kpiRAc34CN
— Augie Nash | 🇺🇸 (@AugieNash) July 31, 2022
Rizzo sitting with Mozeliak at Nationals/Cardinals.. Juan Soto to the Cardinals confirmed pic.twitter.com/mZjGBbUoT7
— John Hunter (@JohnnyFBaseball) July 31, 2022
You can understand why Cardinals fans are curious about whether a Soto trade is on the horizon. Earlier in the day, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported that the Cardinals were believed to be one of three finalists for Soto, with the other teams being the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.
But, they have also been linked to Oakland Athletics pitcher Frankie Montas, who is now the top starter available ahead of the deadline following the Luis Castillo trade to the Seattle Mariners. Montas will likely command a lot, considering the Cincinnati Reds were able to get three of their top five prospects from the Mariners.
Fans will know if the Cardinals and Nationals did strike a deal once the Aug. 2 deadline approaches.
Cardinals: An easy argument against trading for Juan Soto. light. More