One of the main stories of the MLB season so far has been the Washington Nationals potentially trading superstar Juan Soto. The fact that it was even being discussed was shocking for a number of reasons. Soto is still just 23 years old and has multiple years of club control remaining after the 2022 campaign. But the Nationals are clearly in rebuilding mode after trading Trea Turner and Max Scherzer away a season ago.
However, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo recently set the record straight on the Juan Soto trade rumors in an interview with Barstool Sports's Starting 9.
“We are not trading Juan Soto,” Rizzo declared. “We made it clear to his agent and to the player. I understand these journalists have to fill a blank sheet of paper everyday, it's a good thing to get some attention on a story. But we have every intention of building this team around Juan Soto… (we) made it clear to him that we are not interested in trading him, I guess the rest of the world just doesn't believe it. But that's our position.”
This news undoubtedly is music to Nationals fans ears. But potential Juan Soto buyers like the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres and others are surely not thrilled to hear Mike Rizzo's statement.
Despite the consistent rumors all season long, it isn't all that surprising to hear the Nationals take this stand. Soto has two years of team control remaining as aforementioned and it makes more sense to build a team around him. This news could lead to a potential extension for Soto should the Nationals choose to offer him a long-term deal.
But for now, it looks as if Soto is remaining in Washington.