It is time for the Washington Nationals to begin putting together their future core. After a trade deadline that saw the front office dismantle the roster, the Nationals have a solid core of prospects that could all be a part of their immediate future. However, they are still going to want to find players currently on the roster to build around as future cornerstones.
That is what the Nationals are hoping Juan Soto can be. The talented outfielder is clearly being counted on as one of the leaders of the team, as the Nationals are considered to be Soto’s club. With that being the case, it is understandable that they would want to lock him up for the long term.
Juan Soto not expecting to sign extension with Washington Nationals
But that does not mean that Soto is ready to sign such a deal. He admitted to being frustrated after the deadline and seeing those players being sent elsewhere. At the same time, he said that his focus needs to remain on the diamond and that he is just taking his situation year by year.
Even though Soto’s wing was not quite right at the start of the season, he has posted another solid year. The National League leader in walks and on base percentage, Soto has posted a .298/.427/.500 batting line in his 422 plate appearances, hitting 18 homers and 13 doubles. He has been impressive defensively as well, saving nine runs and leading NL right fielders in putouts.
At 22 years old, Soto should, in theory, get even better as he approaches his prime. He is the type of player that the team should look towards making a lifetime member of the franchise, someone that they can build around for the next decade. His agent, Scott Boras, has worked out an extension with the Nationals before, as Stephen Strasburg received a seven year deal before free agency.
Obviously, the Nationals would hope for more than they have received from the first two seasons of Strasburg’s extension. As Soto has been reasonably healthy throughout his career, missing time primarily due to COVID in 2020, it is a reasonable gamble to take. They just need to get him to put the pen to the paper.
Juan Soto is not expecting to sign a long term deal with the Washington Nationals. But a lot can change in the next three years.