The Washington Nationals failed to come to an agreement on a contract extension with superstar outfielder Juan Soto this offseason, planting the seeds of trade speculation. Many MLB insiders believed that the 18-34 Nationals, bogged down by a poorly constructed roster, would be forced to trade the franchise's greatest asset to jump-start their rebuild.

However, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo ended any and all speculation on a Soto trade on Wednesday, firmly stating that a deal was not in the club's plans. Rizzo clearly stated that the team wants to build around Soto.

That's the smartest course of action, given Soto's elite-level talent at the young age of 23. However, the rest of the team will need to get better around Soto if they are to compete in future seasons.

The 2022 MLB season will present the Nationals with a chance to do just that. Washington should still be sellers at the deadline, as this roster simply isn't good enough to pull an about-face into playoff contention.

The Nationals still have plenty of trade chips who could be valuable to contenders this summer. Here are three players not named Juan Soto that Washington should look to deal in 2022.

3 Players Not Named Juan Soto Nationals Must Trade 

3. Tanner Rainey 

Tanner Rainey has been the Nationals closer this year, excelling in the role. However, it's hard to stand out as a ninth-inning stopper on a team with only 18 wins.

Don't let that distract from what Rainey has done in 2022, though. The 29-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career, having compiled a 2.35 ERA with five saves and a 1.10 WHIP in 15 1 /3 innings.

It's understandable to take the numbers with a grain of salt, given his 5.54 career ERA heading into the season. However, a look under the hood validates Rainey's strong 2022 campaign.

The right-hander has posted an excellent 28.6 percent strikeout rate, thanks to a four-seam fastball that has clocked out at an average of 96.2 MPH. ‘

Per Statcast, opposing batters are posting just a 35 percent hard-hit rate and .365 expected slugging percentage against the Nationals reliever.

Those numbers don't mean Rainey will continue to pitch this well. However, they do mean that he is able to miss bats and limit the damage when hitters do make contact.

That sort of pitching, especially out of the bullpen, is invaluable in today's MLB. Rainey could prove to be an excellent trade chip for a team in need of bullpen help, such as the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels or Toronto Blue Jays.

2. Nelson Cruz 

Nelson Cruz, who will turn 42 in July, has been struggling to start the 2022 MLB season. Cruz owns just a .666 OPS with four homers, though he's still managed to drive in 27 runs despite the slow start.

The veteran slugger, who has clubbed 453 homers in his 18-year career, is regarded as one of the better run-creators in the league. However, there likely isn't much of a market for his services at the moment, given his slow start.

Cruz does have a few things working for him. In his career, July has been his best month, as he has posted a .890 OPS during that time frame. It's not out of the question for Cruz to go on a hot streak in June or July, causing his trade value to skyrocket.

Cruz' age and one-year contract make him an easy sell to a contending team as a rental bat. Just like last year, when he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. Except this time, Cruz would have plenty more suitors with the designated hitter in the National League as well.

If the veteran slugger starts clubbing the ball this summer, look for the Nationals to trade him at the deadline.

1. Josh Bell 

Nationals first baseman Josh Bell has been the best hitter on the team not named Juan Soto. Bell's .802 OPS is not far behind Soto's, while his .304 batting average leads the team.

The 29-year-old has been known as a power bat throughout his career, having belted as many as 37 homers back in 2019. With just four homers in 184 at-bats, the power clearly hasn't been there.

However, Bell has quietly turned himself into an excellent overall hitter, as he has recorded a career-low 10.8 percent strikeout rate and 10.3 percent walk rate.

The Nationals first baseman is controlling the strike zone better than he ever has while making contact at the best rate of his career. Even if the power numbers don't come back, there are plenty of teams who would line up to acquire Bell in today's strikeout-age.

Bell is the Nationals' best trade chip in 2022.