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The Nationals have two options now that Juan Soto reportedly has turned down their 15-year, $440 million extension offer: trade him before the Aug. 2 deadline and replenish the farm system with what should be an unprecedented return of prospects, or make the most of their remaining time with him.
The first choice is tantalizing for baseball fans. Imagine Soto, the greatest young hitter since Ted Williams, spending the next three pennant races in a Dodgers outfield with Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger and reuniting with his good buddy Trea Turner. Dream of his sweet, left-handed stroke sandwiched between Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, launching dinger after dinger into the Yankee Stadium seats. Think of Uncle Stevie Cohen ordering his front office to make Soto a Met, financial and prospect costs be damned. Consider the sorcery of Jerry Dipoto pulling off his craziest trick yet and putting Soto in the lineup with Julio Rodríguez as the Mariners finally end their two-decade playoff drought.
