Washington Nationals: Imagining an extension for Juan Soto

When Fernando Tatis Jr. signed his record setting extension with the San Diego Padres, baseball fans began to imagine what other top young players would receive. One player that particularly came to mind was Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto.

Soto has dominated in his time in the majors, posting an impressive .295/.415/.557 batting line in his 1349 plate appearances, hitting 69 homers and 71 doubles. He led the National League in batting average, becoming the youngest player to do so, on base percentage, and slugging in 2020 while finishing fifth in the MVP vote. At 22 years old, he may just be scratching the surface of his potential.

Washington Nationals will have to pay to keep Juan Soto

It is not a secret that the Nationals want to keep Soto. General manager Mike Rizzo had attempted to work out an extension during spring training last year, but those conversations did not get very far. His thoughts have not changed, as he indicated that he envisions Soto as a long term piece for the franchise.

However, he may have a model to work from in regards to that extension. While Rizzo said that he does not regard Tatis’ contract as providing more clarity, Soto’s representatives may see that as a framework for any possible long term deal.

The Nationals do have a specific modus operandi when it comes to their contracts. They defer money, which does allow flexibility in the short term, but will eventually become due. That tendency to defer does not always work with prospective free agents or players that they are looking to extend, but it is what ownership prefers.

There is also the matter of who Soto is represented by. While the Nationals and Scott Boras do have a solid working relationship, he is not an agent who does contract extensions unless his clients tell him to. Boras would prefer to go year to year, maximizing a player’s earning potential, and then see what he can get in free agency.

If an extension is going to be discussed, one has to imagine that Boras is regarding Tatis’ deal as a guideline. Ideally, Boras would get Soto something more than the 14 year, $340 million deal Tatis signed. However, as Tatis does play a position considered to be more important defensively, that may not happen.

With that being the case, Soto is not likely to surpass Tatis in terms of the total value of the contract. However, Boras may look at getting a higher average annual value as a win. A 12 year, $320 million extension might be enough to keep Soto in town for the long term.

The Washington Nationals are hoping to keep Juan Soto around for the long term. An extension may be costly, but it is possible.