How far will the Yankees or Mets go for Juan Soto? How far will any MLB team go to get one the game’s best players?
The Washington Nationals want interested teams to offer their best for the 23-year old star. Nothing less than that should be acceptable.
The asking price from the Nationals for Juan Soto is high.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said on FS1 that multiple teams were told the asking price for the 23-year-old included a mixture of four to five top prospects and young major leaguers with low service time.
For the Mets, their most valuable prospects would have to be in play for Soto. That means potentially parting with Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Alex Ramirez, and Mark Vientos.
The price is just as steep for the Yankees to put the pinstripes on Soto. Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, and Oswald Peraza would have to be included.
And then there’s this caveat to watch for, notes Bill Madden of the NY Daily News:
One other “must” the Nationals have told prospective bidders is that Patrick Corbin and the remaining 2 1/2 years and $70 million on his contract be included in any deal.
When Soto turned down the Nationals’ 15-year, $440 million offer last weekend, there was a loud record scratch heard throughout the sports world.
That record scratch was quickly followed by loud gasps from baseball fans on social media when the Nationals made it known they’re now willing to entertain trade proposals.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is rebuilding his team, with or without Soto. It’s Rizzo’s job to make sure he gets maximum value for him. Moreover, with Soto under contract with the Nationals for two more seasons, there’s no rush to make this deal.
However, the baseball world is buzzing with thoughts of which team will step up and meet Rizzo’s asking price.
Is Juan Soto worth it?
If you’re the Yankees, how much would you want in return for Aaron Judge? What do you think the Mets would ask for a healthy Jacob deGrom?
How about down in Atlanta — where the Braves are giving Mets fans all kinds of angina right now. What do you think their asking price would be for Ronald Acuna Jr.?
This weekend, the Mets are struggling to get their bats going against the San Diego Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. is working his way back from the injured list, but what do you think the asking price would be for him — if he were to become available?
These are hypotheticals, let’s not blow a gasket or anything. However, Juan Soto is a special player. The resume, still at just 23 years old, speaks for itself:
- Two-time All-MLB First Team
- Two-Time Silver Slugger Award
- 2022 Home Run Derby Champion
- Two-Time All-Star
- 2020 NL Batting Champion
- 2019 World Series Champion
The asking price for Soto should be on astronomical levels. It’s what comes with being one of the game’s best players and young stars.
Main Image: Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
