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Nationals Avoid Arbitration With Juan Soto, Josh Bell

By Anthony Franco | March 22, 2022 at 7:02pm CDT

The Nationals have avoided arbitration with star outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (Twitter links). Soto will make $17.1MM, while Bell will collect an even $10MM.

It’s a massive second-year number for Soto, who had been projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for a $16.2MM mark. That’s a reflection of the 23-year-old’s otherworldly track record, as he’s coming off as good a year at the plate as anyone in the game. Soto hit .313/.465/.534 with 29 home runs in 654 plate appearances. That earned him a notable bump over his 2021 salary of $8.5MM. Soto reached arbitration last winter as a Super Two and is controllable through 2024.

Bell’s $10MM salary is an exact match for Swartz’s projection. The former Pirate is coming off a decent first season in the District, posting a .261/.347/.476 line with 27 homers. After a pedestrian first half, Bell caught fire down the stretch. He’ll try to keep that going this season and set himself up for a nice payday next winter, when he’ll reach the open market for the first time.

With those agreements in place, the Nationals now have around $135MM on the books, according to Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. That’s nearly $50MM lower than last year’s season-opening mark, as the Nats kicked off a retooling effort last summer.

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Transactions Washington Nationals Josh Bell Juan Soto

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View Comments (24)
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24 Comments

  1. LFGMets (Metsin7)

    3 years ago

    Strasburg and Corbin are eating up most of thier payroll, not to mention the bright idea to give Scherzer deferalls…

    Reply
    • Positively Half St

      3 years ago

      That “bright idea” allowed them to spend money in other ways which led to a World Championship. I am not hating on the Mets – I would be happy to see them win it all this year. Still, it makes no sense to get on the Nats when they accomplished what the Mets have not for 35 years.

      13
      Reply
    • YourDreamGM

      3 years ago

      If I had the option to pay someone roughly the same money now or 5 to 10 years from now I wouldn’t choose now.

      5
      Reply
      • Bently

        3 years ago

        Someone missed the “future value of money” lesson in high school economics.

        3
        Reply
    • 48-team MLB

      3 years ago

      Mets over Astros in 2049

      1
      Reply
    • believeitornot

      3 years ago

      You’re right. It was a bright idea to defer half of Max’s salary. Think how many times they would have gone over the tax threshold if they hadn’t.. I am hoping Stephen Strasburg retires if he can’t recover from the surgery. That would help them out so much.

      Reply
  2. PiratesFan1981

    3 years ago

    I love how every article makes sure to mention “former Pirate”. At least they get some sort of recognition regardless of the pun these writers have for the Pirates.

    Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      3 years ago

      I should be clear on this statement. From a guy who spent 15 minutes in the Pirates uniform to a guy spending 4+ years in Pittsburgh, every writer makes sure to add “former Pirate”

      Reply
      • Positively Half St

        3 years ago

        Hang in there, friend. It is sad to see the Pirates like this after a short, promising run not that long ago. An historic fanbase like Pittsbugh deserves better.

        Reply
        • 48-team MLB

          3 years ago

          I’ve got Pirates/Royals in 2061.

          Reply
  3. Mynameisnoname

    3 years ago

    Very smart by the Nats. Doubled Sotos salary, but went less than a 1 mil over projected number.

    I’d say the good will for future contracts negotiations is worth the 800K.

    Reply
    • iverbure

      3 years ago

      And when Soto leaves In free agency I’m sure he’ll think about that too.

      1
      Reply
      • natxandria

        3 years ago

        Why don’t you think he can be re-signed? Washington isn’t some backwater small market.

        The only reason I can see them not resigning Soto is that Rizzo puts too much stock in pitching.

        Reply
        • User 3663041837

          3 years ago

          Too much stock in starting pitching. Not bullpen

          1
          Reply
  4. vtadave

    3 years ago

    Wow, assuming Soto goes year to year through 2024, what will he get in arbitration each year? Has to be records.

    2022: 17.1
    2023: 24
    2024: 35

    3
    Reply
    • iverbure

      3 years ago

      That’s what I was thinking

      Reply
  5. ruckus727

    3 years ago

    Soto is a modern day Ted Williams. Dude is a generational talent at the dish. So fun to watch him hit. Well deserved.

    1
    Reply
    • 48-team MLB

      3 years ago

      Red Sox over Padres in 2025. Soto will catch the final out.

      1
      Reply
      • believeitornot

        3 years ago

        They are one of the few teams who will be able to afford him.

        Reply
    • CujoMarlin

      3 years ago

      Agree with all of that, but not really on T. Williams level of performance. Ted had full season OPS+ of 235 in his third season. Soto’s not at that level, but yes, he seems like he takes a similar approach to Ted.

      Reply
  6. thefallensoldier

    3 years ago

    Soto will get 400 mil when he hits free agency.

    Reply
    • MikeD26

      3 years ago

      Add at least 80M if not 100M to that.

      Reply
    • believeitornot

      3 years ago

      I think he will get close to 500 million if not quite a bit more. It all depends on when he signs the contract. If he is traded next off season and the new team extends him pretty soon after, it should be quite a bit more than 500 million.

      1
      Reply
  7. ludafish

    3 years ago

    Wow…so at this rate Soto will hit Free Agency at 25 and play his age 26 season under whatever deal/extension he may get. That contract is going to be insane. Especially if he keeps up his at least 140 OPS+ seasons (though it looks like he’ll be averaging 160+ now at this rate). Wow. He’s going to have to get Trout money.

    1
    Reply

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