Feb 19, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) gives a press conference during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees-Workouts
TAMPA — “The Generational Juan Soto.” That’s what the Yankees outfielder’s navy blue shirt read as he spoke to reporters for the first time on Monday morning.
The tee is an accurate description of the player the Yankees acquired from the Padres in a blockbuster trade. Just look at the back of his baseball card. The 25-year-old phenom is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory — winning one World Series, four Silver Sluggers, and making Three All-Star Games.
That man made his much anticipated arrival at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday alongside Yankees other position players.
“You see the lineup, you see our bullpen, starters, everything. We have everything that we need. The talent, the organization we are, it’s amazing. It’s incredible. And we’re more than excited about this season.
It’s going to be really fun. I think it’s going to be unbelievable, from top to bottom.”
With Soto a year away from reaching free agency, questions about his future continue to take precedent. That was the case again on Monday. Asked if there have been extension talks between him and the Yankees, Soto said,
“I let Scott do whatever he’s doing. For me, I’m just focusing on ’24,” Soto explained. “I’m here to play baseball, focusing on playing this year and trying to win as much as we can, and bring a championship to New York.”
The outfielder added that he’s used playing under pressure pressure.
“I’ve been dealing with this,” Soto said. “It was the same thing. I think you put the pressure on yourself.”
The outfielders murky contract situation has led him to play for three teams in the last two calendar years. And while the Yankees would love to lock down their phenom down long-term, it’s going to cost them. Soto infamously turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension offer from the Nationals in 2021. General manager Brian Cashman said earlier this week that he expects Soto to test the free-agent market after the season.
But for now? Let’s worry about the present.
“It’s gonna be electric,” Soto said when asked about playing in the Bronx. “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.
“We have everything that we need.”
The Bombers quest for another World Series will start on February 24th against the Detroit Tigers — in their first Spring Training game.
