Juan Soto’s Latest Statement On Future Could Shatter New York Mets Fans’ Hopes

Juan Soto is one of the hardest hitters in baseball today. Add to that he is also one of the youngest and you have a rare concoction. A player ready to spread their wings you would think. Someone ready to make a switch for a bumper deal and flex their financial muscle. But in a surprise move, it appears that Juan Soto intends on staying in Washington and making the most of his abilities while still at Nationals Park for the years to come.

In a recent report, it appears as though Soto was offered a bumper extension by the Nationals prior to the lockout, only for Soto to reject it. However, Soto also said in the same breath that the Nationals were his intended destination for the years to come.

Juan Soto has played out of Nationals Park since his debut season in 2018. He was voted as high as second in the Rookie of the Year votes in that year and set the league alight since. Soto made the World Series with the National in 2019, and despite a pandemic shortened 2020 season, turned in his first All-Star performance in 2021.

He seems to be the next big thing in baseball if he continues on his current trajectory and the Nationals know it. And with arbitration coming up in his contract for the next 3 years and him turning free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign, perhaps they thought it wise to extend the young hitter.

But Soto seems to have thought this through. His value could potentially rocket in free agency at the current rate in 2024, aged just 26. And Soto knows it. But in a statement he made, it looks like staying with the Nationals is on the cards.

Juan Soto opens up about staying a National

Speaking to ESPN, Soto spoke about how he had received an offer from the Nationals to get an extension prior to the lockout. However, it wasn’t what he was looking for at the time. He believed that free agency is the right destination for him right now. Said Soto, “My agents and I think the best option is to go year by year and wait for free agency”. And with super-agent Scott Boras at the helm, Soto also spoke about his future destinations. “I still think of Washington as the place where I would like to spend the rest of my career, so we will see,” he added.

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The reason he is in such high demand could well be not just his performance but also his ceiling. Aged only 23 and performing at an all-Star level already; Soto’s free agency could potentially mark uncharted airspace in terms of contract valuation. It gets no higher profile than Soto at this point. He could well have a case to be MLB’s first $500 million player in three years; with $400 million feeling like his floor at this point. And with a valuation as high only a few sides can potentially stand to sign Soto.

Juan Soto – Potential signing with the Mets?

While the Yankees will always remain in contention, the Bronx may have noisy neighbors soon enough. With the New York Mets seeing fresh cash injected into their coffers, they could stand in good stead to sign the young superstar in free agency. The Mets need to reinforce their hitting lineup and who better than Soto to prop up their sluggers?

Soto has an enviable record. Amongst players with at least 2,000 plate appearances through their age-22 season, Soto holds some solid standings. He ranks second in on-base percentage behind John McGraw, second in slugging percentage behind Mel Ott, and third in OPS+ behind Mike Trout and Ty Cobb. If past record is anything to go by, Soto looks like a future Hall of Famer.

The question that remains though is will he remain at Washington National? Or is a switch to an alternate city on the cards? Tell us what you think.

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