Juan Soto and the Art of Professionalism
Juan Soto has once again become the subject of trade rumors as he plays for the last place Washington Nationals. Krebs’ Friday MLB Column explores how Soto has become a household name and is a professional amid trade rumors.
Sports requires dramatic elements to which they, along with fans and constituents, can buy into the on-field product. People emulate what they see, and Major League Baseball sets a precedent for future players around the United States and worldwide. Making players seem larger than life is the job of baseball marketers and media organizations because drama results in more tickets, more souvenirs sold, and more fans for life. The entire concept of a baseball icon can go small, like a person who relates to everyone or whose play on the field is too iconic to look past (a la Barry Bonds), with most players in the middle.
When non-players know a player off the field, it creates an impression of personal connection. Adding personal details about their life away from the game allows fans to favorite players. The problem is not building those relationships—social media has allowed baseball fans to connect to players like never before—the issue lies in the gray area of player and team relationships.
Players can become established enough as a household name, leading to the creation of trade rumors from nearly anywhere, even in healthy circumstances. After hearing enough trade rumors and letting the “noise” go to their head, players may not want to stay on the team. This creates a strained relationship regardless of player performance, leading to a long-term rift between players and team executives. How a player reacts to said circumstances reveals his character, which more research-driven teams investigate and shape their teams around.
There has never been a reported issue around Juan Soto during his tenure with the Washington Nationals. Soto's name is in trade rumors due to his candidacy as the best player in baseball and the lack of contention from the Nationals. Soto, the professional, has never mentioned any issues with his placement on the team, but many speculate he will leave the Nationals via trade since Soto enters arbitration during the 2023 offseason.
A player's best interest is to be honest and genuine with everyone they meet to create healthy relationships so teams, and their fans, know what they are getting in a player. While some players may grow into a role or succumb to what they have become, knowing a player's background gives researchers a glimpse of what they will act like in the future. People test players at every level of their path to becoming a professional, and those who stick around maintain and sustain positive interactions league-wide.
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Images courtesy of Getty Images
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac