The St. Louis Cardinals are being viewed by rivals as the potential front-runner to acquire Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals.

The New York Mets, Yankees and Seattle Mariners are among at least a half-dozen teams that have inquired about Soto.

Sources indicate the Nationals are focusing on one or two teams at the moment, and some believe the Cardinals are in the group getting early attention. 

The Cardinals line up for what the Nationals want -- not just prospects, but young, controllable players already in the Majors, according to a report.