When the Yankees first acquired Juan Soto from the Padres over the offseason, Brian Cashman said he understood that the slugger’s time in pinstripes could be a “short-term” situation.
However, the Yankees hoped that a year in pinstripes would convince Soto, an impending free agent, to stay beyond 2024. Cashman talked of the Bronx becoming the “Mecca of baseball,” and he touted the Yankees’ desire to win, among other factors, as a selling point for the 25-year-old superstar.
On Saturday, Soto will begin his first – and possibly last – postseason with the Yankees when they host the Royals for the start of the ALDS. Lots of eyes will be on Soto, who won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019 and could fetch a $600 million deal this winter.
“I mean, I’m not thinking of the free agency part of it,” Boone said Friday of his expectations for Soto with a major payday waiting. “I don’t think he is. I think he’s loving being here and being part of this team and knowing what’s at stake and what he has an opportunity to do. He’s been in playoff baseball before. He’s won a championship before. He obviously knows what it takes.
“I don’t think he ever gets ahead of himself like that. When that time comes, they’ll handle that. But right now, I think he’s completely focused on going out there and performing on a big stage in the playoffs.”
Asked if Boone’s comment about “loving” New York was accurate, Soto seemed to agree.
“I’ve been enjoying my time here. It’s always great,” he said. “It’s always fun to be with a winning team with a winning group.”
Soto added that he’s become accustomed to not worrying about his uncertain future, as trade rumors and contract negotiations hung over his last few seasons in D.C and San Diego.
When asked about hitting the open market this season, Soto has mostly said his focus is on playing and that his agent, Scott Boras, will handle contractual talks when the time comes. However, Soto brought his free agency up unprompted when the Yankees were in Seattle at the end of the season, and The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty recently reported that the right fielder met with owner Hal Steinbrenner in July.
“Right now, we’re focused on the playoffs,” Soto said. “We’re talking about trying to get another championship.”
For what it’s worth, Soto has appeared incredibly comfortable in the New York spotlight, frequently interacting with fans who demand the Yankees re-sign him via deafening chants.
He’s taken notice of the Bronx faithful. While Yankees fans surely won’t make or break what Soto decides to do this offseason, he has noticed the love.
“It’s really fun to be playing for those fans,” he said. “They’re in there day in, day out, every out, every inning. It’s just incredible. It’s really fun to play for those fans out here.”
Soto has also benefited from having Aaron Judge‘s protection.
With the presumed MVP hitting behind him all season, Soto is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He slashed .288/.419/.569, finishing second in on-base percentage and third in OPS. He also hit a career-high 41 home runs while adding 109 RBI and a 180 wRC+.
“When you have the greatest hitter of all time hitting behind you, you’re getting more pitches,” Soto said.
Added Judge, who has also benefited from the tandem: “Ooh, it’s been a treat. Definitely been a treat, and excited to see what he does in the postseason.”
As good as Soto has been on the field, Boone highlighted the presence he’s been in the Yankees’ clubhouse. Such talk dates back to spring training, but Boone reiterated the point on Friday.
“He obviously came in here with a ton of attention and all the attention that goes with him being a free agent at the end of the year, and you’ve never felt that,” Boone said. “It’s been about being part of this team, and he’s fit in perfectly. It’s been a lot of fun to get to know him and to see how much he cares about his craft.”
Boone also said that he’s come to appreciate Soto’s “love of the game.” Asked why Boone thinks Soto has been “loving” New York, the manager added, “I just interact with him every day on some level.”
“To me, it seems like he’s enjoyed his time here,” Boone continued. “I’d probably enjoy my time, too, if I walked out with that skill set every day.”
Now the Yankees are hoping Soto’s skills translate to the postseason.
He’s already a .261/.349/.495 playoff hitter with seven homers, 21 RBI and a ring that he keeps in a safe at home, but he’s eager for a chance to pad all of those numbers this October.
Soto also can’t wait to get a taste of playoff baseball in the Bronx — at least once.
“All the guys are talking about is how loud this place is going to be,” he said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing: those fans going crazy.”