"I’ve paid for 3 of the 5 times I made the ASG" - Retired MLB legend breaks his silence over the Washington Nationals and Home Run Derby Champ Juan Soto's flight controversy

News recently surfaced that the Washington Nationals refused to charter Juan Soto a flight to the Home Run Derby. Former MLB outfielder Adam Jones spoke up about the controversy.Public discussion over the issue started after Soto's agent, Scott Boras, made the following statement:&quot;All I know here is that the Atlanta Braves and Juan Soto played a game (Sunday). The Atlanta Braves arrived here five hours earlier than Juan Soto did. You know why? Because their team chartered a plane. Juan Soto had to fly on a commercial flight...get here at 1:30 in the morning...compete in the Home Run Derby.&quot;The Athletic@TheAthleticThe Nationals did not send Juan Soto to L.A. on a chartered flight for the All-Star Game, according to his agent Scott Boras.He flew commercial and arrived at 1:30a.m. local time before winning the HR Derby.(H/T @USATODAY)32232The Nationals did not send Juan Soto to L.A. on a chartered flight for the All-Star Game, according to his agent Scott Boras.He flew commercial and arrived at 1:30a.m. local time before winning the HR Derby.(H/T @USATODAY) https://t.co/YaBaeBAowb&quot;The Nationals did not send Juan Soto to L.A. on a chartered flight for the All-Star Game, according to his agent Scott Boras. He flew commercial and arrived at 1:30a.m. local time before winning the HR Derby.&quot; - The AthleticWhile this stirred up fans on social media, it turns out Juan isn't the first MLB player to fly commercially for a Home Run Derby / All-Star Game. Recently, former MLB veteran Adam Jones recalled his experience. Adam revealed he paid for his ticket to the All-Star Game three out of five times.Adam said, &quot;I’ve paid for 3 of the 5 times I made the ASG. But we only had 1 player the first 3 times and I wasn’t no damn Soto lol. But last 2 they paid and for 2016 for the guys in SD.&quot;10@SimplyAJ10I’ve paid for 3 of the 5 times I made the ASG. But we only had 1 player the first 3 times and I wasn’t no damn Soto lol. But last 2 they paid and for 2016 for the guys in SD. More ppl. But I love reading the comments. If you don’t know something just say that ppl. It’s easy twitter.com/jonheyman/stat…Jon Heyman@JonHeymanTeams sometimes provide private travel to All-Star Gane to players who by definition are performing at elite level but are not obligated to do so. Players can also pay for their own private travel. But agents are disallowed ftom paying as private travel is Obvs a gift over $500.40038Teams sometimes provide private travel to All-Star Gane to players who by definition are performing at elite level but are not obligated to do so. Players can also pay for their own private travel. But agents are disallowed ftom paying as private travel is Obvs a gift over $500.I’ve paid for 3 of the 5 times I made the ASG. But we only had 1 player the first 3 times and I wasn’t no damn Soto lol. But last 2 they paid and for 2016 for the guys in SD. More ppl. But I love reading the comments. If you don’t know something just say that ppl. It’s easy twitter.com/jonheyman/stat…&quot;I’ve paid for 3 of the 5 times I made the ASG. But we only had 1 player the first 3 times and I wasn’t no damn Soto lol. But last 2 they paid and for 2016 for the guys in SD.&quot; - Adam JonesAdam Jones also subtly hinted through his tweet that Nationals' Juan Soto is at the peak of his MLB career.Washington Nationals approached Atlanta Braves to fly Juan Soto on their charter plane92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by MastercardOakland Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn traveled to Los Angeles on a Houston Astros charter plane to attend the All-Star Game. Similarly, the Nationals approached the Atlanta Braves to check if they could make room for Soto's return to D.C., but unfortunately, there was no vacancy.Jon Heyman@JonHeymanThe Nats asked the Braves if they’d let Soto/Davey Martinez on their team plane and were told it was full (they took staff and team media). While the Astros took Paul Blackburn, the Braves were smart avoid any suggestion of impropriety via extra time with an available superstar.1653117The Nats asked the Braves if they’d let Soto/Davey Martinez on their team plane and were told it was full (they took staff and team media). While the Astros took Paul Blackburn, the Braves were smart avoid any suggestion of impropriety via extra time with an available superstar.&quot;The Nats asked the Braves if they’d let Soto/Davey Martinez on their team plane and were told it was full (they took staff and team media).&quot; - Jon HeymanJon Heyman, an MLB insider, stated that the Washington Nationals were not obligated to arrange a charter plane for just one.Jon Heyman@JonHeymanTeams sometimes provide private travel to All-Star Gane to players who by definition are performing at elite level but are not obligated to do so. Players can also pay for their own private travel. But agents are disallowed ftom paying as private travel is Obvs a gift over $500.58229Teams sometimes provide private travel to All-Star Gane to players who by definition are performing at elite level but are not obligated to do so. Players can also pay for their own private travel. But agents are disallowed ftom paying as private travel is Obvs a gift over $500.&quot;Teams sometimes provide private travel to All-Star Gane to players who by definition are performing at elite level but are not obligated to do so.&quot; - Jon HeymanMost importantly, not every MLB team can afford to fly a solo player cross-country in a charter plane.Per Audacy's Jesse Pantuasco, &quot;Big spenders like the Red Sox and Yankees can afford to roll out the red carpet for their players, while others see it as a waste of money, not willing to spend a fortune on one player.&quot;Sitting on a net worth of $1.7 million, Juan could have easily paid for the expense of a two-way charter flight himself. He opted for the less expensive commercial route.

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