According to what was stated by MLB Network analysts Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman, in an article for the New York Post, the Cardinals are seen by managers of rival teams as the favorites to keep the Dominican Juan José Soto before The deadline to make changes is August 2.
Heyman and Sherman also wrote that potential Soto takers have already been told the Nationals are currently focused on just one or two teams. St. Louis is believed to be one of those novenas.
The Cardinals have a solid farm system and several good young players at the major league level. Washington has let it be known that in exchange for Soto they would be looking for four or five players and that they want a combination of high-impact prospects and players with little time in the Major Leagues.
St. Louis is battling the Brewers for the NL Central and already has two MVP candidates in its lineup: Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. However, for a lineup with plenty of rights, placing Soto between Goldschmidt and Arenado could tip the balance in the division.
The Post report also suggests the Cardinals might not have to absorb the big contracts the Nationals are trying to get off their payroll — especially left-hander Patrick Corbin — because they have enough prospects and young players to convince Washington.