Report: Mets 'an extreme longshot' to land Nationals All-Star Juan Soto
Almost immediately after it was learned that Washington Nationals All-Star outfielder Juan Soto could be available before the Aug. 2 trade deadline because he rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension proposal from his current employers, fans and also outlets such as the official MLB website began linking Soto with fellow National League East club the New York Mets.
Many also noticed how Mets outfielder Starling Marte seemed to be recruiting Soto throughout the All-Star festivities this week:
Earlier on Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today added fuel to the figurative fire when he reported that the Mets were one of seven teams that had "begun fielding preliminary offers" for Soto. However, the latest update on the situation indicates Soto probably won't be calling Citi Field his home ballpark anytime soon.
SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday afternoon that "multiple high-ranking officials with direct knowledge of the situation believe it an extreme longshot that Soto lands in Queens."
Additionally, Martino notes that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo "has not responded to messages about Soto" and also that "a baseball official in contact with Rizzo said that the Nats are ultimately disinclined to trade Soto to an NL East rival."
That official continued: "They won’t admit it to you, but they want Soto where they don’t have to see him all the time."
It makes sense Washington wouldn't want to help an already-talented familiar foe improve. The first-place Mets began Thursday at 58-35 and with the second-highest winning percentage in the entire NL, and they are already viewed as legitimate World Series contenders despite not having ace Jacob deGrom in the rotation yet this season.
While the Mets are expected to chase a bat before the deadline, it appears Soto understandably isn't a realistic option.
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