August 2nd, 22, a date that will live in Infamy: Juan Soto traded to the Padres

[English Natsie]

When I glanced at MLB.com and saw 'Soto to Phillies'...

[Kevrock]

When I glanced at MLB.com and saw 'Soto to Phillies'...

They are trolling so hard with that. We all know Soto will end up in a Mets jersey.

[Smithian]

https://twitter.com/bnightengale/status/1554494977719144451?s=21&t=pZzivSEqx8YSGWKN1QTq8w

I’d have accepted this package for Soto. Really tough for him plus Bell.

We saved them from Hosmer contract? And don’t get more than that?

This is a disaster of a return.

I'm really high on Abrams, really low on Gore. If the Nats medical team is comfortably, I understand being high on Gore. I'm worried about any unhealthy pitcher after our issues with Strasburg.

Hosmer is a Red Sox, according to official MLB Twitter.

If Rizzo holds onto the Padres package as it stands minus Hosmer, the disaster level on this remains high but still lower than it could have been.

My early take here was pretty angry. Got less angry after Hosmer threw his fit. Did leave door open Gore being healthy could save this.

But bumping for this:

Some of these prospects will flame out. Just cross your fingers a couple pop.

I don't argue we have a bunch of exciting pieces in the farm and in rookie contract years. Only question is if it was enough.

James Wood is an elite young hitter. CJ Abrams is raking again. Gore is Nats #1. Hassell just called up. Susana is a Top 100 prospect, which is strong even if I think he ultimately ends up a reliever. I was way to negative on this treade!

We have a ton of other threads about what is going right/wrong for Nats, but damn the Nationals nailed the Soto trade. Made best of an unwinnable situation. I wanted the Cardinals package, so I'm glad I did not get my way.

[imref]

I think winning trumps all else. I don't think we want to be Anaheim who has a generational talent, but can never win. I'm more convinced than ever that Soto at this point in his career was a bad fit on a team that had an empty cupboard and no real hope of competing. Trading him brought a lot of potential to our farm system, but obviously we need those guys to pan out. I think we're in far better long-term shape now with the Padres haul than if we had extended Soto and had nothing around him.

still feeling good about this take.

[Smithian]

still feeling good about this take.

I don't like the $300 (now $400) million contract for a hitter who doesn't defend well. Even a guy who can play 1B every day to me is much more valuable than a DH.

I never minded Juan Soto trade in the moment. I just thought a couple other packages were better. Nationals bet on Mackenzie Gore medical and fell in love with James Wood. Good call.

[imref]

i went back and read a few pages of this thread. Some good takes on the trade, some absolutely awful ones.

One point that is often missed is before this trade the Nats were counting on Louis Garcia Jr. as our shortstop. Acquiring Abrams pushed Louie to 2nd where he has flourished after being arguably the worst defensive SS in baseball pre-trade.

[Natsinpwc]

The trade was necessary and has gone well.  The problem is the rest of everything has been disastrous.  This will be the 6th straight losing season and no end in sight.  If you don’t nag to be the Pirates this is all fine.  Most of us want to be competitive at some point.  Seems won’t happen until the owners sell. 

[Natsinpwc]

still feeling good about this take.

What about winning trumps all.  When are we going to have that??

[imref]

What about winning trumps all.  When are we going to have that??

we've had it for the last 4 nights.

I think we would have won far fewer games with Soto given the state of our farm system at time of trade and ownership unwillingness to spend additional money. 

[varoadking]

we've had it for the last 4 nights.

I think we would have won far fewer games with Soto given the state of our farm system at time of trade and ownership unwillingness to spend additional money.

If you had kept Soto...you don't tank...so it's not like he would be the only piece...

So that dictated trading Soto...

[imref]

If you had kept Soto...you don't tank...so it's not like he would be the only piece...

So that dictated trading Soto...

we traded Max and Trea the season prior to trading Soto.

[Natsinpwc]

we've had it for the last 4 nights.

I think we would have won far fewer games with Soto given the state of our farm system at time of trade and ownership unwillingness to spend additional money.

We have a .410 winning percentage since 2020.  It's hard to do much worse than that. 

The problem is basically we have contributors from the trade and we still suck.  And no indication the owners will spend to make the team better. It's very sad.  There is no hope. 

[Natsinpwc]

we traded Max and Trea the season prior to trading Soto.

The old man was still alive when they made Soto that offer.  I have to believe he would have spent money to put a team around him.  At least tried.  The current group cares zero about winning.

[imref]

I’m not seeing any big name free agents added in 2022

[Natsinpwc]

I’m not seeing any big name free agents added in 2022

Because that was the start of the rebuild.  They wouldn’t have gone full rebuild if they signed Soto. 

[imref]

They were trying to extend Soto in 2022. They didn’t put a team around him going into that season.

[Natsinpwc]

So if he had signed in 2022 that would have precluded them from signing free agents before 2023?  Call 2021 the start of the rebuild then and maybe 2022 was a chance to reconsider had Soto signed.  Whatever you call it, the situation is sad.  We’re on our way to 10 or more straight losing seasons.  No one wants to give Rizzo a round of applause for the trade when things are so bleak with the team. 

[imref]

Not arguing with you, just pointing out to var that we were already tanking with Soto going into 2022.

I give Rizzo a big round of applause for the trade though.

[Natsinpwc]

Golf clap. 

[HalfSmokes]

Not arguing with you, just pointing out to var that we were already tanking with Soto going into 2022.

I give Rizzo a big round of applause for the trade though.

You applaud a GM who can’t seem to field a decent team?

[varoadking]

Not arguing with you, just pointing out to var that we were already tanking with Soto going into 2022.

My point was that if he had signed...they actually do start a rebuild.  He didn't...they traded him...no need to do anything but tank...

[varoadking]

You applaud a GM who can’t seem to field a decent team?

...or put together a decent coaching staff...

[Slateman]

My point was that if he had signed...they actually do start a rebuild.  He didn't...they traded him...no need to do anything but tank...

I think it's pretty clear they wouldn't have started a rebuild. They had no talent. There was no way the Lerners were adding the additional 100+ million to the payroll to be competitive

[imref]

I think it's pretty clear they wouldn't have started a rebuild. They had no talent. There was no way the Lerners were adding the additional 100+ million to the payroll to be competitive

bingo.

[IanRubbish]

You applaud a GM who can’t seem to field a decent team?

And can't get through 5 minutes of softball questions from the Sports Junkies without umming and ahhing like a nervous 3rd grader giving a book report.