GM: Nationals talking with 'several teams' about Juan Soto

Washington Nationals has several teams interested in right fielder Juan Soto (22). Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

GM Mike Rizzo: Nationals talking with 'several teams' about All-Star OF Juan Soto

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/27/22

The MLB trade deadline is less than one week away and the hottest name on the market remains Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto.

General manager Mike Rizzo discussed the All-Star outfielder and the rampant trade rumors Wednesday morning on 106.7 The Fan, a Washington, D.C.-based radio station.

Mike Rizzo just now on @1067theFan w/ Junks:

"We're in conversations with several teams that have real interest in him.. We're going to have to get the deal that we want.. that gets us an opportunity to become a championship organization faster than not trading him." #Nats #MLB
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 27, 2022

Mike Rizzo just now on @1067theFan w/ Junks:

"We've got pretty good options. We've got talented Juan Soto for 2.5 more seasons, that's option-A. That's a good one. But we also have to think about options B and C." #Nats #MLB
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 27, 2022

Rizzo -- who had said at the beginning of June that the Nationals would not be trading Soto -- said that while there have been multiple enormous contract extension offers on the table, the 23-year-old has turned them down. He claims that has nothing but respect for Soto though and has no hard feelings.

Mike Rizzo just now on @1067theFan w/ Junks:

"We've made him several offers, we made sure he knows that we want him here.. It's just business, it's not personal. He has the right to go to free agency, to turn down deals. I respect that." #Nats #MLB
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 27, 2022

Mike Rizzo just now on @1067theFan w/ Junks:

"We made a historical offer to him and he turned it down. Am I upset with Juan Soto for doing that? No. I've known the kid since he was 15. I know him as good as anybody in the world. This isn't personal. This is business." #Nats #MLB
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) July 27, 2022

The 2022 Home Run Derby champion has recorded 20 home runs, 45 RBI and a league-leading 83 walks this season, along with a .245/.401/.485 slash line over 96 games this season.

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