GM Mike Rizzo: Nats won't 'dilute' Juan Soto trade return by including bad contracts

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo acknowledged the team is talking with several teams interested in acquiring star outfielder Juan Soto.

Trade rumors have been all over the place since The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported the Nationals made Soto available. Among the numerous reports surrounding Soto is that the Nationals want to include struggling left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin in a trade.

Washington is looking to offload the remainder of Corbin’s six-year, $140 million contract. The 33-year old Corbin is owed $59 million over the next two seasons beyond this year.

However, Rizzo said the Nationals won’t “dilute” a Juan Soto trade by including a bad contract.

“We’re not going to dilute a return for any player by adding a bad contract,” Rizzo told 106.7 the Fan’s The Sports Junkies. “We want to get the most for every trade that we do.”

Rizzo didn’t name Corbin specifically, but for all intents and purposes, it was clear who he was referencing.

Corbin has a 4-14 record this season. He has the most losses in MLB. His 6.49 ERA is the highest among qualified pitchers. The 149 hits he has surrendered are also the most in MLB. Last season, he was 9-16 with a 5.82 ERA.

Soto is expected to get Washington the biggest haul in MLB history. Adding a declining Corbin to a trade would greatly diminish that return. Any less-than-stellar return defeats the purpose of trading a 23-year old who is arguably the best hitter in the sport with two additional years of team control.