Juan Soto-Nationals connection deserves attention in Mets vs. Yankees rumor mill

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan this week, "high-ranking front office and ownership-level sources" have confirmed what Juan Soto's barber already told us: it's likely to come down to the Yankees' and Mets' offers for his services in free agency.

But that doesn't mean we can't get happily distracted by a dark horse contender, given the dull front-running reality of a pure bidding war (with a slight edge given to Aaron Judge and the Yankees, if they can match the numbers).

A crowd full of fans chanting, "Please Stay, Soto!" (or was it "Re-sign"? "Please sign"?) in the Bronx put the ball in Brian Cashman's court last weekend, and the prospect of playing with NL MVP front-runner Francisco Lindor (yeah, we said it) and setting the market rate in Queens is quite appealing (if the Yankees refuse to come to the table at the level necessary).

But, as The Athletic's Chris Kirschner reminded us during the Yankees-Nationals series, Soto remains both comfortable in DC and heartbroken that he was ever dealt after refusing to settle for a midseason extension 2.5 years ahead of free agency.

Yankees star Juan Soto will likely be pursued by Washington Nationals in free agency (to some degree)

Soto was correct to turn down the Nationals' $440 million overtures, as he'll likely top that by nearly $200 million on the open market this offseason. By all accounts, he'd started to fall for his new home in San Diego to some extent, too, and was open to a free agent deal prior to beloved owner Peter Seidler's death.

But the east coast has always felt like his inevitable long-term home, and while conventional wisdom suggests the Mets and Yankees will both be preparing massive moneypots, Soto (still just 25!) lines up rather well with James Wood, Dylan Crews, Keibert Ruiz, CJ Abrams, Andres Chaparro, and the Nationals' competitive young core.

In fact, there's almost nothing stopping the Nationals from adding pitching this offseason, akin to the the way Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha immediately helped Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals, and contending in 2024. They wouldn't even need Soto if they chose that path, but he sure would help.

The offseason's biggest storyline spent time hugging a Nationals clubhouse attendant on Monday and holding court on the field while Washington manager Dave Martinez gushed about their relationship over the years. Soto and Scott Boras will -- no need to mince words -- take the Mets and Yankees through the wringer this offseason in an attempt to extract as much cash as possible from the two foes. But, in order to do that, it helps to have a third comfortable landing spot in mind.

If for no other reason than that, expect to hear a lot more about the Nationals' window as the winter continues.