Soto focused on the present as tenure begins: ‘It’s gonna be electric’

TAMPA, Fla.– In case anyone in the room wasn’t sure, Juan Soto wore a shirt with his name on the front while speaking to a room full of reporters on Monday.

“The Generational Juan Soto,” read the navy-blue tee. It’s an accurate description of the player the Yankees acquired from the Padres in a blockbuster December deal that cost Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez and Kyle Higashioka.

“When you’re really good, it’s easy to have that confidence,” Aaron Boone said of the shirt.

At 25 years old, Soto is, indeed, a generational talent. Already on a Hall of Fame track, he has a World Series ring, four Silver Sluggers, three All-star nods and a .946 OPS for his six-year career. He and his left-handed swing are exactly what the Yankees needed after a disappointing offense contributed to the team’s playoff absence in 2023.

“I’m here to play baseball,” Soto said on the day position players were required to report. “I’m focusing on playing this year and trying to win as much as we can and bring a championship to New York.”

While Soto is fixated on the here and now, including his new surroundings and teammates, questions about his long-term future have loomed ever since the trade. Soto is slated to hit free agency after this season, which means the Yankees are only guaranteed one year of a player who, despite his age and skills, is already on his third team.

Asked if there have been extension talks between him and the Yankees, Soto said, “I let Scott [Boras] do his thing.” Soto said that he discussed his options with his agent over the offseason, but Boras clients typically test free agency. Especially when they have the ability to reset the market.

“I have a lot of trust in him and what he’s going to do,” said Soto, who rejected a 15-year, $440 million extension offer from the Nationals, which sparked a trade to San Diego two seasons ago. “I trust him so much that I just forget about that and I just come here to play baseball.”

Soto added that he’s used to the pressure of playing under uncertain circumstances, as his tenures in D.C. and San Diego also ended with contract and trade rumors.

“I’ve been dealing with this,” Soto said. “It was the same thing. I think you put the pressure on yourself.”

Questions about Soto’s free agency will continue this season. In the meantime, Soto plans on getting to know the Yankees organization and New York City as best he can in a season’s worth of time.

He’s eager to play in the Bronx, where the Dominican native believes he’ll feel comfortable in front of the home crowd.

“It’s gonna be electric,” Soto said. “It’s gonna be fun. There’s a lot of Latin communities over there, so it’s gonna be really, really, really exciting. It’s gonna feel like home. And I’m more than happy to be there.”

Those that know Soto believe he will have no problem playing in New York.

“He’s got no issues. He loves it,” Nationals skipper Dave Martinez, Soto’s first big league manager, told the Daily News. “He knows how to grind. He’s humble in the way he respects the game. He respects his teammates. All he wants to do is help his teammates win. That’s it. The Yankees got a good one. He’s gonna be really good.”

Soto is also looking forward to hitting in the Yankees’ lineup.

He’s not sure where he will hit, but he will talk to Boone about that. The expectation is for him to bat second or third. Aaron Judge would occupy whichever spot Soto doesn’t.

“Seeing him and Judge tear apart the league is going to be awesome,” said Giancarlo Stanton, who is looking to bounce back in 2024. “And it’s our job to clean up after them too.”