LOS ANGELES ― A man can dream about winning a Home Run Derby. If you’re Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto, a trophy and a medallion were waiting for you at Dodger Stadium on Monday, offering proof that dreams can come true.
Soto said he left the victor’s hardware here after winning the Derby last week, knowing the Nationals would begin a three-game series against the Dodgers on Monday.
A man can dream about recruiting Trea Turner to play for the same club that traded him to the Dodgers last year, too. Turner is a free agent at the end of this season. If you’re Juan Soto, why not?
“I really tried my best to get him back,” Soto said.
Levity might be the last refuge of the one player upon whom an entire trade deadline rests.
The rebuilding Nationals are at least open to dealing Soto, who at 23 years old has never finished outside the top 10 in Most Valuable Player award voting in three full major league seasons. The trade rumors accelerated after it was reported that Soto rejected the Nationals’ offer of a long-term contract extension earlier this year: 15 years, $440 million. Had Soto accepted, it would have been the most valuable contract in total dollars ever signed by a baseball player, a record established by Mike Trout in March 2019.
Now, with more than two years remaining before he reaches free agency, the baseball world is salivating at the prospect of seeing Soto play for a winner again. Washington began the week with a 32-65 record. The trade deadline is Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. PT. That whistling crescendo you hear is the boiling kettle on baseball’s hot stove.
“This has been crazy,” Soto said. “I never thought this is going to happen to me. First time going through it, and it’s been pretty tough.”
Fans elected Soto to start the All-Star Game for the National League last Tuesday. Soto was playing center field when, at one point in the game, a group of fans chanted “Fu-ture Dod-ger” in his direction from the bleachers. Soto turned and grinned.
On Monday night, he was back to business.
“I never think about (being traded to the Dodgers) because I never see myself in any of that,” Soto said. “I’ve always been loyal to the Nationals, I’ve always been there for them. You see everywhere I’m going, they try to pull me out of my team. I just keep in touch with the Nationals because that’s what I am right now. That’s what I’m going to be: loyal until they don’t want me anymore here.”
TAYLOR MENDING
Chris Taylor said he is tentatively scheduled to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment next week with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The outfielder jogged on the field for the first time since fracturing a bone in his left foot and expects to run the bases in the next day or two.
“Felt great,” Taylor said. “I feel no limitations with the foot. I think it’s more at this point, building everything else up and making sure I don’t, like, injure something else trying to come back.”
Taylor will remain in Los Angeles while the Dodgers travel to Denver on Thursday to begin a four-game series against the Rockies. Oklahoma City begins a series against the Angels’ affiliate in Salt Lake City next Tuesday.
Barring any setbacks, Taylor is on track to return within the expected timetable for his injury – 4 to 6 weeks, according to Dr. Anne Holland Johnson with the Hospital for Special Surgery, who is not treating Taylor.
Taylor was hitting .238 with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 74 games when he sustained the injury on July 4.
ALSO
Pitcher Walker Buehler played catch lightly from a short distance in the outfield, the first step in his throwing program as he attempts to return from a right forearm strain. … Relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol (right shoulder inflammation) played catch from up to 120 feet. … Third baseman Justin Turner (abdominal tightness) took ground balls and hit in a “full day” of workouts, Manager Dave Roberts said. Turner could return as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. … Relief pitcher Blake Treinen (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Washington (RHP Josiah Gray, 7-6, 4.40 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Mitch White, 1-2, 3.78 ERA), Tuesday, 7 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM
