Nationals' Soto turns down record contract
Washington Nationals star outfielder Juan Soto expressed irritation Saturday hours after a report he turned down a record contract with the rebuilding club.
The Athletic, citing unidentified sources, reported Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract offer to remain with the Nationals that would have been the most lucrative in baseball history. Angels outfielder Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5 million deal in 2019.
The rebuilding Nationals said last month that they would not trade the 23-yearold Soto. But speculation about Soto getting dealt is sure to swell after this report of him turning down a longterm deal.
Soto is a two-time All-Star who finished second in the NL MVP voting last season. He will not be a free agent until after the 2024 season.
Soto referred questions about his contract to his agent, Scott Boras.
Soto was a key piece of Washington's championship team in 2019 and turned 21 during the World Series. He won the NL batting title in 2020, led the league on onbase percentage in 2020 and 2021 en route to Silver Slugger awards in both seasons.
He is hitting .249 with 19 homers and 42 RBIs this season and will play in Tuesday's All-Star Game.
The last-place Nationals are a major league-worst 30-63. Since last year's trade deadline, when Max Scherzer, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and others were dealt, Washington is 48-105.
“I get the taste of winning, so I want to win every year,” Soto said. “I don't want to keep losing. I hate losing.”
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (knee), Giants pitcher Carlos Rodón (unknown), Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (lower back) and Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (lower back) won't be playing in the All-Star Game.
MLB announced that Altuve is being replaced in the starting lineup by Cleveland's Andrés Giménez, who is making his first appearance. Toronto's Santiago Espinal will replace Altuve on the AL roster.
Dodgers pitcher Tyler Anderson is taking the place of Rodón on the NL roster.
Arenado's replacement is Atlanta's Austin Riley.
San Diego's Jake Cronenworth will take the place of Chisholm on the NL roster, and Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil will replace Chisholm in the starting lineup.