I'm pinch-hitting for Tim Dierkes on this week's MLB Mailbag! This week, I fielded questions on Juan Soto's free agency, Tarik Skubal's emergence as an elite arm, Hector Neris' release, the Cubs' luxury-tax status, the Athletics' outlook in Sacramento, the Braves' litany of injuries and their playoff chances, the Cardinals and player development, Dylan Crews' timeline, various NL Award outlooks and, lastly, made some way-too-early, surely-incorrect picks for free agent destinations.
Let's dive in!
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IMO Soto’s not even going to consider the Nats and vice versa, despite likely rampant media speculation here in DC. Soto and Boras reportedly never even responded to three contract offers, including the $440 million offer. The Nats don’t have much money committed for 2025 beyond Strasburg’s settlement, but someone in the Lerner family objected to that settlement, which is why Strasburg’s retirement ceremony was abruptly cancelled at the last minute last season. Mark Lerner and the rest of his family aren’t going to spend $ like Ted did. A big money free agent like Soto or even a guy like Burns/Snell/Fried won’t be signed by the Nats.