The Washington Nationals made Juan Soto fly commercial to All-Star week in Los Angeles after turning down contract extension
The MLB All-Star festivities wrapped last night in Los Angeles after Monday night’s Home Run Derby. Juan Soto took the Home Run Derby crown, after traveling from Atlanta to California on a commercial flight.
Why was Soto flying commercial? Well, according to his agent Scott Boras, the Nationals refused to charter a flight for Soto to All-Star week after he turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract extension on Saturday.
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The result was Soto boarding a plane early on Monday morning out of Atlanta following the Nationals series with the Braves. To note, Atlanta Braves players hopped on a team charter to Los Angeles and arrived for All-Star week a full five hours ahead of Soto.
Here’s what Scott Boras told Sports Illustrated about Juan Soto flying commerical:
“The Atlanta Braves arrived [in Los Angeles] five hours earlier than Juan Soto did,” Boras said. “You know why? Because their team chartered a plane. Juan Soto had to fly on a commercial flight and wait in an airport for two hours and get here at 1:30 in the morning and have to compete in the Home Run Derby. And that’s something that Major League Baseball did not take care of and that’s something that the Washington Nationals did not take care of.”
I have to be honest, I really think the Washington Nationals finally lived up to the #Natitude hashtag that they use on social media. This is an all-time petty move from a sports organization and I absolutely love every part of this story.
As a member of the common folk, it’s really hard to feel bad for Soto for not being chartered to MLB All-Star weekend. I’m actually happy the 23-year old had to ride commercial. I’m sure he still sat first class, which is better than the majority of travelers could say anyways.
Soto won’t take a historic contract extension?
Okay no problem. Throw him on a bus to all games until he is traded. How’s that sound Scott?
