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The Mets are one of seven teams that have already been discussing potential trade packages with the Nationals for superstar outfielder Juan Soto, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.

According to Nightengale, the Mets, along with the Yankees, Mariners, Padres, Giants, Dodgers, and Cardinals have checked in with the Nats about potential trade packages. The Trade Deadline is August 2 but the Nationals are prepared to wait beyond that unless they get the right deal, per Nightengale.

With the second half of the 2022 MLB season now officially underway in the wake of the All-Star break, one of the biggest talking points will revolve around the future of Soto. The generational talent is now reportedly on the trading block after recently rejecting a 15-year, $440 million extension from the Nationals.

With two and a half years left of team control, Soto would obviously be a perfect fit for a contender in the short-term, and also for any team looking for sustained success and a franchise pillar. The 23-year-old is due to make $17 million this season and around $60 million in arbitration over the next two years.

A superstar talent, Soto recently won the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby in what was his second All-Star appearance. He already has a World Series title under his belt along with a batting title and two Silver Slugger awards. He’s currently slashing .250/.405/.497 with 20 home runs and 43 RBI this season.

He would push any legit contending team over the top and would change the long-term trajectory of any team interested in trading for him, so the Nationals will likely hear from a lot more than seven teams over the coming days and weeks as we build up to the August 2 Trade Deadline.

Due to their deep farm system and the deep pockets of owner Steve Cohen, the Mets are considered one of the favorites in the Soto sweepstakes. The fact that they have already reportedly checked in with the Nats with a potential preliminary offer is no surprise.

There are thought to be a plethora of teams involved because of the magnitude of the offer it would take to prise Soto from the Nationals. The Mets are one such team that could offer a bounty of high-end prospects and ready-now MLB players, and they also have the money to take on a bad contract in return. That’s important because, per The Athletic, the Nationals are thought to be desperate to offload Patrick Corbin‘s contract as part of any trade package for Soto.

Corbin has two and a half years left on a six-year, $140 million deal he signed in 2018. He has been the worst starting pitcher in baseball since the 2021 season with a 5.84 ERA in 50 starts. If there’s one team that can trade for Soto, give him the likely $500 million he’s after, and also absorb the rest of Corbin’s contract, it is the Mets and Cohen.

With baseball back and the August 2 Trade Deadline in sight, expect to hear plenty more on the Soto front, and don’t be surprised if the Mets keep on being mentioned in the discussion for the star outfielder. They have the means and the resources to be a major player in what will be one of the biggest trades in all of sports in recent memory.