MLB rumors: 3 biggest losers from the Juan Soto deal

Nationals fans

On Oct. 30, 2019, around 10:50 p.m. in Houston, Daniel Hudson threw a breaking ball to the Astros’ Michael Brantley, tossed his glove into the air, and ran into the arms of catcher Yan Gomes as the Nationals celebrated the first World Series championship in franchise history.

That was less than three years ago, but it might as well be three decades for Nationals fans. The loss of Soto, the face of the franchise who helped bring the title to the nation’s capital, is a stark reminder of how much things have changed since that magical night at Minute Maid Park.

Just five players who appeared in that Fall Classic have had an uninterrupted run with the Nationals since. Patrick Corbin, Tanner Rainey, and Victor Robles are still there. So is the perennially injured Stephen Strasburg, the MVP of that series who has made just eight starts in the last three seasons. Joe Ross hasn’t played all year. Sean Doolittle and Anibal Sanchez left town before coming back.

Manager Dave Martinez is also still there, but he would barely recognize the lineup he pencils in each night from the one that won the title. First, it was Bryce Harper who left before 2019. Anthony Rendon went off to Anaheim in 2020. Max Scherzer and Trea Turner were traded to the Dodgers last July. Franchise cornerstone Ryan Zimmerman retired.

Just three years removed from the league’s pinnacle, Nationals fans have nothing but memories. The star players from that club have taken their rings and left town, leaving a depleted roster in their wake.

Soto might be the most significant blow. He’s just 23 and could’ve established himself in Washington for the prime of his career. But, when he rejected the club’s $440 million contract extension, his fate was sealed.

The 2019 championship banner will still hang in Nationals Park. But that title is beginning to feel like a long time ago as the Nationals prepare to start all over.