The and free-agent reliever have agreed to a three-year contract that guarantees him $26 Alexander Nylander Kids Jersey million, . Martinez had previously opted out of a three-year pact that would have seen him earn $18 million, meaning this qualifies as a raise.Martinez, in 2022 (his first season since 2017), appeared 47 times (including 10 starts) and ama sed a 3.47 ERA (108 ERA+) and a 2.32 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He had previously compiled a 91 ERA+ over the course of his first 88 MLB outings. . Here's what we wrote at the time:It would be cheating to write that Martinez looked different from when we last saw Josh Gorges Kids Jersey him (he spent four seasons in Japan, after all) but it's true. New team. New haircut. New number. New pitcher. He scrapped Brandon Montour Kids Jersey his over-the-head windup in favor of a Clevingerian rocker step, and shortened his arm action so that his hand arc barely dips below his beltline, not his midthigh. In one respect, though, he remained the same: an unclear role. Martinez started the season in the rotation and spent the rest of the year in the bullpen, becoming one of Casey Mittelstadt Kids Jersey two pitchers to record five-plus starts and saves ( being the other). Martinez has a varied arsenal that is good enough to elicit chases and suppre s quality contact, but not loud enough to rack up huge strikeout totals. (Even in relief, he averaged only eight K's per nine innings.) Of course, it takes just one team to view him as a starter for him to then be paid like a starter.Martinez is second notable Padres reliever to re-sign with the team after Jimmy Vesey Men Jersey reaching free agency this offseason. Previously, inked a five-year pact worth $46 million. .

The 2021 MLB season is rapidly winding down, and as it nears its finishseveral postseason races have drawn most of the focus.All but one of the divisional races arelocked up. The Giants have for most of the season, yet find themselves holding off an incredibly talented Dodgers squad in the NL West.FAGAN: The race for the American League wild card will be a fight to the finish. The Red Sox and entered September clinging to the top two spots and are still Glenn Anderson Jersey there, but they face pre sure from the Blue Jays and Mariners.FAGAN: The Sporting News is tracking the MLB standings as the season wraps up. Here's all you need to know heading into the final stretch of the campaign. American League playoff bracketSeedTeamDivisionRecordPercentage1RaysEast100-62.6172AstrosWest95-67.5783White SoxCentral93-69.5744 (WC)Red SoxEast92-70.5685 (WC)YankeesEast92-70.568American League wild-card standingsWC1: Red Sox, 92-70(.568)WC2: Yankees, 92-70(.568)Blue Jays, 91-71 (.562), ELIMINATEDMariners,90-72(.556), ELIMINATEDAthletics, 86-76 Sergei Nemchinov Men Jersey (.531), ELIMINATEDIndians,80-82(.494), ELIMINATEDTigers,77-85(.475), ELIMINATEDAngels,77-85(.475), ELIMINATEDRoyals, 74-88(.457), ELIMINATEDTwins,73-89(.451), ELIMINATEDRangers, 60-102(.370), ELIMINATEDOrioles, 52-110 (.321), ELIMINATEDNational League playoff bracketSeedTeamDivisionRecordPercentage1GiantsWest107-55.6602BrewersCentral95-67.5863BravesEast88-73.5474 (WC)DodgersWest106-56.6545 (WC)CardinalsCentral90-72.556National League wild card standingsWC1: Dodgers,106-56(.654)WC2:Cardinals, 90-72(.556)Reds,83-79(.512), ELIMINATEDPhillies, 82-80 (.506), ELIMINATEDPadres,79-83(.488), ELIMINATEDMets,77-85(.475), ELIMINATEDRockies,74-87(.460), ELIMINATEDCubs, 71-91(.438), ELIMINATEDMarlins,67-95(.414), ELIMINATEDNationals,65-97(.401), ELIMINATEDPirates, 61-101(.377), ELIMINATEDDiamondbacks, 52-110(.321), ELIMINATED This is the part where fans of teams in playoff spots or those just outside Ondrej Pavelec Women Jersey really start to get out the calculators. The magic number is the combination of a team's wins and/or lo ses by its closest competitor neededto clinch Oscar Lindberg Men Jersey a playoff spot.The magic number is listed for each team leading the division to claim the title, and the elimination number listed for teams trailing in the division. The same information is provided for those in the chase for the wild card. Info comes from MLB.com.AL EastRays, CLINCHED DIVISIONRed Sox, x/xYankees, x/xBlue Jays, x/xOrioles,x/xAL CentralWhite Sox, CLINCHED DIVISIONIndians, x/xTigers, x/xRoyals, x/xTwins, x/xAL WestAstros, CLINCHED DIVISIONMariners, x/xAthletics, x/xAngels, x/xRangers, x/xAL wild cardRed Sox, CLINCHED FIRST WILD CARDYankees, CLINCHED SECOND WILD CARDBlue Jays, x/xMariners, x/xAthletics, x/xIndians, x/xTigers, x/xAngels, x/xRoyals, x/xTwins, x/xRangers, x/xOrioles, x/xNL EastBraves, CLINCHED DIVISIONPhillies, x/xMets, x/xMarlins, x/xNationals, x/xNL CentralBrewers, CLINCHED DIVISIONCardinals, x/xReds, x/xCubs, x/xPirates, x/xNL WestGiants, CLINCHED DIVISIONDodgers, x/xPadres, x/xRockies, x/xDiamondbacks, x/xNL wild cardDodgers, CLINCHED FIRST WILD CARDCardinals, CLINCHED SECOND WILD CARDReds, x/xPhillies, x/xPadres, x/xMets, x/xRockies, x/xCubs, x/xMarlins, x/xNationals, x/xPirates, x/xDiamondbacks, James Patrick Men Jersey x/x

MLB infielders have often shown the ability to make defensive plays with their bare hands.On Monday night, however, Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez made an impre sive bare-handed snag on a fly ball down the right field line. The catch immediately brought baseball fans back to a similar catch made by Giants outfielder Kevin Mitchell back in 1989, when he caught a foul ball Wayne Gretzky Women Jersey off the bat ofCardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith in the left field corner. FAGAN:How each play was made came about a bit differently. In the case of Mitchell, he was chasing after a fly ball that was over his head, but that he managed to snag with his outstretched right hand.Sanchez, however, was running toward the right field wall in foul territory and over-ran the ball, needing to reach back out with his right hand to make the Mark Messier Women Jersey catch sans glove to record the out as Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas could only starein disbelief."I was just running hard. Running really hard after the ball. I was trying to be very careful with the wall and I was looking at the wall, looking at the ball and then suddenly I look at the Brendan Smith Men Jersey ball and I pa sed the ball completely. I didnt have any reach with my left hand so I just pulled that right hand and suddenly I grabbed it," Sanchez said through a translator. "I do feel comfortable in right field, but I think that I have a few things that I need to work on and Brendan Smith Kids Jersey keep working, improving, but I do feel very comfortable there."MORE:Even Marlins manager Don Mattingly agreed after the game that the catch looked reminiscent of the 1989 play."That catch reminded me of Kevin Mitchell. I think it was in San Fran, the (he) play made, but yeah Jesus makes it interesting," Mattingly said.MORE: Mitchell went on to win MVP that season, and while Sanchez certainly is not quite on that pace in 2021 Anthony Deangelo Women Jersey , he has been a standout rookie for the rebuilding Marlins. He has slashed .249/.317/.503 with 13 homers in 55 games. Among all MLB rookies, his 118 wRC+ ranks ninth.And,of course, he plays impre sive defense. , his outfielder jump ranks in the 97th percentile among all outfielders and he has recorded three outs above average.If anything, it seems Sanchez might have gotten good of a jump on that fly ball.

Orioles begin 3-game series with the Royals May 7 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink Kansas City Royals (8-15, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Baltimore Orioles (10-15, fourth in the AL East)Baltimore; Saturday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Carlos Hernandez (0-1, 6.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, eight strikeouts); Orioles: Jordan Lyles (2-1, 2.95 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 18 strikeouts) LINE: Orioles -119, Royals +101; Paul Coffey Jersey over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Baltimore Orioles host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday to open a three-game series.Baltimore has a 10-15 record overall and a 7-6 record at home. The Orioles have the seventh-ranked team on-base percentage in the AL at .303.Kansas City is 6-9 at home and 8-15 overall. The Royals are 2-5 in games decided by one run.The matchup Saturday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.TOP PERFORMERS: Cedric Mullins has seven doubles, a triple, four home runs and 11 RBI for Antti Niemi Jersey the Orioles. Ryan Mountcastle is 9-for-32 with a double, three home runs and six RBI over the last 10 games.Bobby Witt Jr. has five doubles, a triple, a home run and seven RBI while hitting .229 for the Royals. Edward Olivares is 11-for-29 with three doubles over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 4-6, .253 batting average, 4.09 ERA, outscored by five runsRoyals: 3-7, .221 batting average, 4.30 ERA, outscored by 16 runsINJURIES: Orioles: Alexander Wells: 10-Day IL (elbow), Chris Ellis: 10-Day IL (shoulder), John Means: 60-Day IL (elbow), Dean Kremer: 10-Day IL (oblique)Royals: Carlos Santana: 10-Day IL (ankle), Cam Gallagher: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jake Brentz: 10-Day IL (flexor) Carl Hagelin Men Jersey , Adalberto Mondesi: 10-Day IL (knee), Tyler Zuber: 60-Day IL (shoulder)___The A sociated Pre s created this story using technology provided by in this topic American League Major League Baseball Baltimore Orioles Kansas City Royals Edward Olivares Alexander Wells John Means Dean Kremer Chris Ellis Cedric Mullins Cam Gallagher Jordan Lyles Ryan Mountcastle Tyler Zuber Kansas City Royals Baltimore Orioles share World Cup fans find booze at hotels, Qatar's 1 liquor store Qatar's strict rules regarding alcohol have drawn attention as it hosts the World Cup 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after home break-in England forward Raheem Sterling has left his teams World Cup camp in Qatar and Mario Lemieux Kids Jersey returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Lionel Me si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ottawa hosts Los Angeles after Giroux's 2-goal game The Ottawa Senators host the Los Angeles Kris Letang Men Jersey Kings after Claude Giroux's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Senators' 5-2 win 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Penguins host the Blue Jackets following Kapanen's hat trick The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets after Kasperi Kapanen's hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the Penguins' 6-2 win 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS

With the expanded postseason gone (for now), the 2021 season might well be the last with so much emphasis on winning the division in Major League Baseball. Sure, there could be some sort of Scott Wilson Men Jersey realignment in the near future, but the likelihood is that this is the last season in this current format where winning the division gets a team automatically one round deeper into the playoffs than the wild card(s).With that in mind, we're running through po sible X-factors in each division, and it's now time for the American League Central. The have won the division the last two seasons with Cleveland having taken home the honors the previous three years. The division was actually home to four of five AL pennant winners from 2012-16 but has since gone four straight seasons without having a team reach the Fall Cla sic. In fact, it hasn't had a team reach the ALCS since 2016.Will that change in 2021? If so, the easiest path is to winning the division in the regular season. Let's take a look at each team's biggest X-factor.Even after trading several frontline starters in recent years, the Cleveland pitching a sembly line keeps on chugging and I fully expect them to be among the best in baseball at run prevention. When it comes to scoring runs, however, especially after trading away superstar shortstop and losing to free agency, one thought comes to mind: can only do so much on his own.All small-sample caveats apply, of course, with a 60-game, pandemic-affected season, but here's where Cleveland ranked last season in the most important offensive categories:Batting average: 23rdOn-base percentage: 19thSlugging percentage: 26thRuns: 25thHome runs: 27thYeah, they were bad. Santana and Lindor are now gone and they combined for 26 percent of the team runs scored, 24 percent of their RBI and 27 percent of their home runs.Slugging outfielder was signed in free agency. He's plenty capable of hitting 30 homers, but his ceiling isn't that of a star. His OPS+ the last four seasons, respectively: 119, 116, 107, 115. Knowing that, he's probably going to be roughly 15 percent better than average at getting on base and hitting for power, which is to say he's a good hitter, not a great hitter. Infielders and came over in the Lindor/Carlos Carrasco trade. Rosario is still only 25 years old, but in over 1,500 plate appearances he's sitting on a 91 OPS+. Gimenez is very intriguing with big upside, but he's only 22 and has had only 132 big-league plate appearances after skipping Triple-A to hit the bigs last season.Everyone else is a holdover. Did the roster actually improve with Santana and Lindor going out and Gimenez and the Rosarios coming in? Nope.Ramirez was amazing last season, so you can't ask for more. was probably close to his ceiling. Paul Martin Kids Jersey Really, the internal improvement likely needs to come from the group of (didn't play last year), (was brutal last year but serviceable in 2019), (good upside but inconsistent and inexperienced) and (bad last year but very good in 2019). There's enough here to convince one's self that the group will be around league average in 2021. If they do improve to that point, it's a playoff team. If they sit around 25th in runs scored, though, which is a realistic prediction, they'll mi s the postseason for the second time in three years.The White Sox have all kinds of upside with the talent on hand. They had the AL MVP last season in . The lineup is full of potential All-Stars. The rotation has a former Cy Young winner and three pitchers who finished in the top seven of Cy Young voting last season. Hell, new Jarred Tinordi Jersey closer finished ninth in that vote and also won AL Reliever of the Year honors. See? This is a stacked baseball team. It's a high-powered offense with three aces and a stud closer! What could go wrong?Injuries could really derail them, and this isn't me saying the are injury-prone. Injuries do happen to every team, though, and the White Sox aren't really built to withstand many. Beyond the stellar trio of , and , here's what the Sox have in the rotation: , who has an -career high 73 innings and took steps backward last season in strikeout percentage and walk percentage. , who has never been better than mediocre in parts of six seasons. , who is 11-18 with a 5.52 ERA the last two years combined. , who had Tommy John surgery in 2018, opted out of last season and is slated for the bullpen.Shrug emojiThe fifth starter is going to be a big question mark anyway, but Cease is no sure thing and a major injury to Giolito, Keuchel or Lynn -- or, cover your eyes, White Sox fans, more than one of them -- would be a disaster.It's not just the rotation.The backup catcher looks like . He hit .237 with a 73 OPS+ in 2018 and 2019 combined and didn't get an MLB plate appearance last season. Can lock down the DH spot? The upside for the 2019 third Mark Recchi Jersey overall pick is immense, but he has only 245 profe sional plate appearances under his belt with the highest level being High-A. He hit .252/.349/.411 in 29 High-A games in 2019. If he doesn't stick, the White Sox don't really have a DH (or if they use Abreu at DH, they don't have a 1B; if they use at DH, they don't have a good left fielder, etc.)Even if Vaughn is big-league ready right now and sticks as an everyday DH, here are the backup options for the position players:Infield: , , Outfield: , GarciaIn the bullpen, Hendriks could well be the best reliever in baseball. looked outstanding last year and was also very good. Beyond that? It's a whole lot of questions. It isn't difficult to envision a deep playoff run from the White Sox with their stellar lineup, a trio of aces, Cease as a fourth starter and an excellent back-end of the bullpen anchored by Hendriks. But the 162-game marathon will present them some injuries and they aren't built to withstand many of them. A few major injuries could bury them. Better cro s your fingers for good health, South Siders, because if they get that, they are one of the best teams in baseball.The most painful stage of a rebuild is the tanking phase, and the hope in Detroit is that's now in the past. The Tigers went a woeful 64-98 in consecutive seasons before outdoing themselves with one of the worst seasons in baseball history in 2019 at 47-114. For their trouble, they got two No. 1 overall picks and a top-five pick in a three-year span.The focus now turns to the progre s made not only from the drafts but also from the trading of veterans for prospects. Here are some we either will or might see in the 2021 season. , RHP: The 2018 first overall pick was knocked around to the tune of a 6.99 ERA in seven starts last year, but Jimmy Hayes Jersey he'd previously never even thrown a pitch in Triple-A. We've seen flashes of how good he can be. He's . , RHP: He's close to the majors and . He has ace upside. , LHP: The former ninth-round pick has huge upside with his swing-and-mi s ability (he struck out 179 in 122 2/3 innings in 2019 between High-A and Double-A), bu

Marlins to break losing streak in game against the Braves August 14 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink Atlanta Braves (69-46, second in the NL East) vs. Miami Marlins (50-64, fourth in the NL East)Miami; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Bryce Elder (1-3, 5.48 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 14 strikeouts); Marlins: Braxton Garrett (2-6, 4.02 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 69 strikeouts) LINE: Braves -140, Marlins +118; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins head into a matchup with the Atlanta Braves after losing Serron Noel Men Jersey three straight games.Miami has a 50-64 record overall and a 23-31 record in home games. The Marlins have a 22-46 record in games when they have allowed a home run.Atlanta has a 69-46 record overall and a 32-24 record on the road. The Braves are 56-17 in games when they record eight or more hits Aaron Ekblad Jersey .Sunday's game is the 13th time these teams match up this season. The Braves hold an 8-4 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Jesus Aguilar has 17 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBI for the Marlins. Brian Anderson is 3-for-8 with a home run and an RBI over the last 10 games.Dansby Swanson has 24 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs and 61 RBI for the Braves. Matt Olson is 11-for-41 with a double and three home runs over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Marlins: 3-7, .215 batting average, 2.93 ERA, outscored by eight runsBraves: 6-4, .266 batting average, 4.60 ERA, outscored opponents by five runsINJURIES: Marlins: Anthony Bender: day-to-day (undisclosed), Avisail Garcia: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jordan Holloway: 60-Day IL (elbow), Florida Panthers Women Jersey Daniel Castano: 7-Day IL (concu sion), Trevor Rogers: 15-Day IL (back), Max Meyer: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jazz Chisholm: 60-Day IL (back), Cody Poteet: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jorge Soler: 10-Day IL (back), Cole Sulser: 15-Day IL (lat), Paul Campbell: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sean Guenther: 60-Day IL (arm)Braves: Ronald Acuna Jr.: day-to-day (knee), Ehire Adrianza: 10-Day IL (covid), Max Fried: 7-Day IL (head), Adam Duvall: 60-Day IL (wrist), Orlando Arcia: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Travis d'Arnaud: day-to-day (leg), Darren O'Day: 15-Day IL (calf), Luke Jackson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ozzie Albies: 60-Day IL (foot), Manny Pina: 60-Day IL (wrist), Mike Soroka: 60-Day IL (achilles)___The A sociated Pre s created this story using technology provided by and data from . in this topic National League Major League Baseball Miami Marlins Atlanta Braves Luke Jackson Jordan Holloway Orlando Arcia Travis d'Arnaud Manny Pia Paul Campbell Dansby Swanson Adam Duvall Trevor Rogers Jazz Chisholm Jr. Avisal Garca Jess Aguilar Ronald Acua Jr. Daniel Castano Jorge Jared Mccann Kids Jersey Soler Cody Poteet Brian Anderson Mike Soroka Matt Olson Braxton Garrett Miami Marlins Atlanta Braves share World Cup fans find booze at hotels, Qatar's 1 liquor store Qatar's strict rules regarding alcohol have drawn attention as it hosts the World Cup 31 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after home break-in England forward Raheem Sterling has left his teams World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home 35 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Lionel Me si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 59 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ottawa hosts Los Angeles after Giroux's 2-goal game The Ottawa Senators host the Los Angeles Kings after Claude Giroux's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Senators' 5-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Penguins host the Blue Jackets following Kapanen's hat trick The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets after Kasperi Kapanen' Denis Malgin Men Jersey s hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the Penguins' 6-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS

White Aleksander Barkov Jersey Sox requiring COVID-19 boosters for minor leaguers February 12 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago White Sox are requiring COVID-19 booster shots for their players with minor-league contracts in order to participate in spring training.On Saturday, the team confirmed reports by It was not clear what percentage of White Sox minor leaguers have their booster shots or how many have received either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one shot of Johnson & Johnson. Spokesman Scott Reifert said players who do not comply would be placed on the restricted list rather than be released.Major League Baseball is not requiring players with minor-league contracts to be vaccinated against COVID-19 this season, but is mandating that most staff receive the shots.While Mike Hoffman Men Jersey players with major-league contracts are unionized and rules regarding them must be negotiated by the Major League Baseball Players A sociation, players with minor-league Aleksander Barkov Kids Jersey contracts are not collectively organized. The White Sox required minor leaguers to be vaccinated last year. Reifert said they had 100% compliance by the opening of camp.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports in this topic Major League Baseball Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox share Mbapp is bringing soccer to a new dimension at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldos precision 26 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Poland finds James Reimer Kids Jersey its true level at World Cup, beaten by the best Poland heads home from the World Cup as the latest team unable to resist an inspired Kylian Mbapp 26 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS World Cup fans find booze at hotels, Qatar's 1 liquor store Qatar's strict rules regarding alcohol have drawn attention as it hosts the World Cup 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Sterling leaves England World Cup camp after home break-in England forward Raheem Sterling has left his teams World Cup camp in Qatar and returned to the U.K. after a break-in at his home 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Anton Stralman Jersey Lionel Me si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 2 HOURS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS

wunderkind recently turned down a contract extension offer that would have made him the highest-paid player in baseball history, . Soto rejected a monster 15-year extension worth $440 million, and the Nationals reportedly now plan to entertain trade offers for last year's NL MVP runner-up.Here are the detail's on Soto's rejected extension, :Soto, 23, rejected a 15-year, $440 million offer, sources said. The proposal J T Miller Women Jersey , the Nationals' third in recent months, did not include any deferred money, a departure from the team's usual practice. The two biggest guarantees in club history, $245 million for right-hander and $210 million for righty , included significant deferrals, lowering the present-day values of the deals.The Nationals' offer exceeded in total dollars the 12-year, $426.5 million contract signed with the in March 2019. Soto would have received an average salary of $29.33 million, the 20th-highest in baseball history, with the deal extending from his Ages 24 to 38 seasons, effectively making him a National for the rest of his career.Soto reportedly rejected, so the Nationals have upped their offer considerably. That said, the going rate for elite players is north of $30 million per year these days. Soto is a Scott Boras client and Boras tries to get his top clients to free agency as often as po sible. Given his age and production, Soto is in line to smash contract records when he hits the open market after 2024, similar to Alex Rodriguez in 2001 (A-Rod was also a Boras client).The Nationals Curtis Mcelhinney Jersey won the World Series in 2019, though they've since cratered and become one of the worst teams in baseball, losing 97 games a year ago and playing at a 109-lo s pace this year. The fact Soto still has another two years of team control remaining means Washington does not have to trade him right away, though it seems unlikely the Nationals will return to contention before he becomes a free agent. And the earlier they trade him, the more they can expect Dan Girardi Women Jersey in return (and the le s injury risk they a sume). "We are not trading Juan Soto. We've made it clear to his agent and to the player," . "We have every intention of building this team around Juan Soto. We've spoken to his agent many, many times -- recently sat with him when he was in Washington D.C., made it clear to him that we are not interested in trading him, and I gue s the rest of the world just doesn't believe it. But that's our position." CBS Sports HQ Newsletter Your Ultimate Guide to Every Day in Sports We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge. I agree to receive the "CBS Andrei Vasilevskiy Jersey Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. There is precedent for a player as good and as young as Soto being traded: . The traded a then-24-year-old Cabrera (and Dontrelle Willis) to the for six prospects, including and , in Dec. 2007. Maybin and Miller were considered two of the 10-15 best prospects in baseball at the time. Incredibly, Cabrera is still playing and those two have since retired after long and productive careers. Cabrera was traded when he was two years away from free agency.Just about every team in the league will have interest in Soto should the Nationals seriously entertain trade offers. Big-market contenders like the and will be in the mix, and up-and-coming clubs like the and Carter Verhaeghe Kids Jersey make sense as well. Bottom line, Soto is one of the very best players in the world and he would make any team better. He is a franchise player in every way and worth giving up an enormous prospect package to acquire. Soto, 24 in October, owns a .247/.405/.490 batting line with 19 homers and way more walks (79) than strikeouts (54) this season. He is a career .292/.427/.540 hitter, putting him among the greatest ever at his age.