The Cardinals are believed to be the best-positioned team to acquire Nationals right fielder Juan Soto. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals reportedly ‘front-runners’ in Juan Soto trade talks with Nationals

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 7/26/22

As at least a dozen teams pursue Washington Nationals star Juan Soto, it looks like the St. Louis Cardinals may have jumped to the front of the pack to land the gifted outfielder.

For weeks, talented players like Luis Castillo, Andrew Benintendi and Willson Contreras had received the lion’s share of the talk when it came to which impact players could be moved ahead of the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline. However, that all changed two weeks ago when Juan Soto turned down a massive $440 million contract offer from Washington.

With Soto on the market, nearly half of the league is interested in making a deal for the uber-talented 23-year-old. And since he has two and a half years left on his contract, this is not just a sweepstakes for the big-market clubs that can pay him the rumored half-billion-dollar deal he is looking for. No, his gifts are so undeniable that small to mid-market teams are even willing to sell the majority of the farm just to rent the two-time All-Star for a few seasons.

St. Louis Cardinals ‘good farm system’ has the Washington Nationals’ attention

One of the organizations that have inquired about Soto’s availability is the Cardinals, and it seems the team has the Nationals’ full attention.

Last week, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney reported that Washington wants young controllable talent who can make an impact right away in any possible Soto trade. On Monday, New York Post MLB insiders Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman seemed to confirm that fact with the news that rival teams view the Cardinals as front-runners to land Soto because of their wealth of youthful talent in the major and minor leagues level.

“The Nats are an organization that relies heavily on scouting, and there’s word they like a lot of the Cardinals’ young players and prospects. The Cardinals line up for what the Nationals want — not just prospects, but young, controllable players already in the majors. Their top young major leaguers include outfielders Dylan Carlson, Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill, plus infielders Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan. Third baseman Jordan Walker, shortstop Masyn Winn and pitcher Matt Liberatore are among the best prospects in the sport.”
Heyman and Sherman on Nationals-Cardinals trade for Juan Soto

It has been said that Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is the type who when he identifies players he wants he focuses on discussions with those teams. It looks like that has happened here and other suitors in the Soto sweepstakes may be starting to fall by the wayside.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: