One thing that's on the Nats is they don't go in early enough. If they want cheap contracts, they have to move after years 1 or 2 of service when the player faces more risk. You've got another year or so to make the move on Ruiz, for example. Soto after 4 years and all the arbitration money in the bank is more likely to turn you down. What were Acuna's and Albie's service time when they were extended?
Soto made 500,000 in 2019. If we signed him for 30-40 million, that means not having one of max or Stras. Or not having Corbin, Dozier, Gomes and Howie. I don't think we would have won a world series in 2019 with that money going to Soto instead of the other pieces.