Much has been made about how the Washington Nationals, after half a decade of being in the incredibly enviable position of employing Juan Soto, now find themselves facing a far-less-enviable conundrum: to trade or not to trade Juan Soto.
Granted, signing him to an extension that makes the franchise-defining talent a career one-team player would be the best outcome for the Nationals and their fans. And they should still endeavor to do so. But after a reported $440 million,15-year extension was rejected by Soto earlier this season — an offer that fell somewhere between “fair money” and “far too low,” and a rejection that likely signaled an intention to test free agency — it would be irresponsible for the Nats’ front office to not entertain offers.