Report: Soto turned down Nats' 2nd mega-offer exceeding $350M
Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto apparently still hasn't received a satisfying extension offer.
Soto rejected a second massive extension proposal from the team during spring training, sources told the Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty. While the exact terms are unknown, it exceeded the 13-year, $350-million offer he refused before the lockout, Dougherty reports.
Despite declining another offer and previously stating he'd prefer to go year-to-year in arbitration, Soto and the Nationals are continuing to discuss a possible extension, sources told Dougherty. The 23-year-old was also spotted talking with employees of his agent, Scott Boras, when the Nats were visiting Dodger Stadium in May.
With his potential free agency now only two years away, the Nationals owning the worst record in the National League, and the Lerner family's continued interest in selling the team further complicating the matter, Soto's future in Washington has become slightly clouded. However, general manager Mike Rizzo squashed any thought of a midseason trade earlier this month by stating, "We are not trading Juan Soto."
Soto, last year's NL MVP runner-up, is off to a bit of a slow start this year, hitting .224/.375/.437 with 14 homers and 32 RBIs. Still, his on-base percentage ranks 10th in the Senior Circuit, and he leads the majors with 63 walks.
The Dominican Republic native is earning $17.1 million this season after avoiding arbitration in the spring.