On July 16, 2022, over 37,000 fans packed Nationals Park on a hot midsummer day. With Washington already having 62 losses before the All-Star break, hope for a second-half comeback was low. Fans came to see Juan Soto, the team’s star player, and to get a Star Wars-themed bobblehead called “Juan Solo.”
Soto had played a key role in the team’s 2019 World Series win and had made history as the youngest player to win an NL batting title the following year. Fans eagerly awaited his every at-bat as reports surfaced, just before the game against the Braves, that Soto had turned down a $440 million contract extension and was on the trading block.
Feeling angry and isolated, Soto struggled on the field that day. As the game progressed, the MegaMillions jackpot flashed on the JumboTron, prompting speculation among the Nationals staff about Soto’s rejected contract offer.
Less than three weeks later, Soto was traded to the San Diego Padres, a move that left him in tears.
Now, looking back twenty months after the trade, Soto reflects on his time with the Nationals while preparing for the 2024 season with the Yankees. Despite the challenges he faced in San Diego, Soto is optimistic about his future with New York, where he feels more at home.
Soto faced criticism for declining the Nationals’ offer, but seeing other players sign lucrative deals has given him confidence as he approaches free agency. With his sights set on resetting the market, Soto looks forward to a bright future in New York.