By: Michael Saladino
On Monday evening in Los Angeles, Juan Soto claimed his first Home Run Derby title. Soto, in the midst of contract holdout with the Washington Nationals, did not let that distractact him. Over the weekend, Soto turned down a 15 year-440 Million dollar deal from the Nationals. He has already brought the Nationals a ring back in 2019, they’re magical postseason run to a World Series ring. The Nationals will offer him another contract option to try to keep him on the Nationals. If not, the Yankees, Cardinals, Mets, and Rangers all will pursue Soto. All this really means, wherever he ends up, Soto will be paid!
The Home Run Derby title at Dodger Stadium, Monday evening, raised his stock even more. In his first round, he cruised to an easy 18 home runs, one better than Jose Ramirez. A first round win for Soto, set his next matchup with Albert Pujols. Pujols defeated Kyle Schwarber in his first round. The win meant a lot for the 42 year Cardinals veteran. Unforutenly for Pujols, the win was short lived. Pujols went first in the second round, setting a total with 15 home runs. Soto, batting second, had 16 home runs in his slights, moving him into the Championship round.
Waiting in the championship round, the 21 year old Seattle Mariner, Julio Rodriguez. Rodriguez lit it up with rounds of 31 and 30 home runs. He was coming in red hot. Rodriguez battled first in the Championship round. He got off to a slower start than the first two rounds. Rodriguez ended his round with 18 home runs. This was very manageable for Soto to take the trophy. Soto, battling second, started hot. He reached 15 home runs, before his one minute bonus time allowed. Soto, knowing he needed four more home runs to win the derby, did just that. The 23 year old, as of now Washington National, added another Million to bank account. Soto was extremely excited after winning the derby, even flipping his bat in the air after hitting a bomb to win it.
National League All-Star Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals poses with the 2022 T-Mobile Home Run Derby trophy after winning the event at Dodger Stadium on Monday in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Soto dodged most of the questions, regarding his contract negotiations. I expect within the next two weeks, especially after the all star break, Soto will ink his new deal. The Yankees and Mets emerge in my eyes as the front runners for him. I still do believe Soto could stay with the Washington Nationals. 440 Million dollars is a lot of money, a lot of money. That may not be why Soto did not sign his deal though. The deal was for 15 years. That would put him at 38 years of age when that contact would expire. For the Nationals to keep Soto, I think they have to offer him an 8 year deal worth a 225 million dollar deal. This way he still makes north of 28 million a year and he is not locked in to a career locking deal with the Nationals. In the end, Soto has the option to do whatever he pleases. He does not own the Nationals really anything, after bringing them a ring. On the contrary, he embraced being a National during a home run derby win. In the end, only time will tell where Juan Soto will go. By and large his stock after the victory Monday, will continue to elevate just like his game does.
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