San Diego Padres fans read between the lines as Juan Soto delays World Baseball Classic trip for treatment on calf: "Left calf = $500 milly contract"

Seattle Mariners v San Diego Padres
Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres at bat in a spring training game

San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto is getting treated for a lingering tightness in his left calf before the World Baseball Classic, according to the team's official statement. He is slated to be a starter for Team Dominican Republic, with the squad's first WBC game against Venezuela at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday in Miami.

But rather than join fellow Padres players Manny Machado, Nelson Cruz, and Luis Garcia on the flight to Miami Monday, Soto stayed at the team's spring training camp in Peoria, Ariz.

"Right now, it feels good," Soto told MLB.com [about his left calf treatment]. "It's improving a lot; it feels pretty good. But they want to make sure I'm ready to go."

However, some Padres fans are seeing through the injury news keeping Juan Soto from the World Baseball Classic for "at least a couple days." They think something bigger is afoot – in terms of a contract extension.

Soto was traded from the Washington Nationals to the Padres on Aug. 2 last season. A .287 career hitter, he hit just .236 with six home runs in 52 games with San Diego.

However, given that Soto hit 119 homers with 358 RBIs and 430 runs in four-plus seasons with the Nationals, Padres faithful are willing to look past last season's numbers and are hoping for a long-term relationship with the budding superstar.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of apprehension in Padres camp either regarding Soto putting off his WBC trip. San Diego manager Bob Melvin is optimistic about Soto participating in the WBC.

"I'm still confident that he will (play in the Classic)," Melvin told MLB.com. "I know that he wants to, as well. But if this thing lingers a little bit, and he's not confident running, we'll see where it goes."

Fans, however, still think it's a smokescreen for big contract news soon to come.

However, there are a few fans of the Dominican Republic that are at least moderately concerned about Soto's status for the WBC.

Juan Soto on hot streak as World Baseball Classic beckons

Manny Machado, left; Juan Soto, middle: and Luis Garcia of the San Diego Padres hold the flag of the Dominican Republic
Manny Machado, left; Juan Soto, middle: and Luis Garcia of the San Diego Padres hold the flag of the Dominican Republic

Juan Soto was smashing the ball in spring training, logging an OPS of 2.023 in 12 plate appearances. The Dominican Republic is scheduled to play exhibitions against MLB teams on Wednesday and Thursday before beginning the World Baseball Classic.

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Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein
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