Juan Soto Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Yankees, Dodgers among seven teams in Juan Soto trade talks

By Adam Stites | Last updated 7/21/22

The Washington Nationals are fielding calls for two-time All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, and there is no shortage of interested parties.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, seven teams have been involved in early talks with the Nationals, who began listening to preliminary trade offers after Soto reportedly turned down a $440 million extension offer.

The Washington #Nats have begun fielding preliminary offers for Juan Soto, with seven teams already weighing in, including 3 in the NL West:#Mariners #Padres #SFGiants #Dodgers #STLCards #Yankees #Mets.
The trade deadline is Aug. 2, but Nats will wait unless get the right deal
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 21, 2022

Soto, 23, would likely be part of one of the largest trade packages in MLB history if he's moved ahead of the Aug. 2 deadline. In his first five seasons with the Nationals, Soto has led MLB in on-base percentage twice and has a chance to be the third player in the last 60 years to finish his first five seasons with an OBP above .400. Soto has joined historic company with the torrid start to his career.

Only one player in the Modern Era (Since 1900) has a better OBP through his age-23 season than Juan Soto (.427 OBP from 2018-22).

That player? Ted Williams (.481 OBP from 1939-42). pic.twitter.com/YYJgYIIynl
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2022

In addition to the costly package of players, prospects, and/or draft picks it'll take to acquire Soto, any team hoping to land the outfielder will presumably need to be able to keep him with a massive contract extension. The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres have four of the top five largest payrolls in MLB. The St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners rank 12th, 13th, and 22nd, respectively.

Six of the seven teams with reported interest are currently in line to reach the 2022 postseason with the exception of only the Giants, who are 0.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race.

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