Juan Soto’s uncertain future remains hot topic as Yankees introduce new star

Decked out in an NY cap, matching tie-dye sweater and a gold chain boasting his No. 22, Juan Soto couldn’t help but smile while offering his first comments as a Yankee on Tuesday.

The outfielder, acquired alongside Trent Grisham from the Padres in a blockbuster trade last week, made his introduction over Zoom. Perhaps Soto will get the traditional, in-person press conference treatment if he signs a long-term deal with the Yankees down the road.

That if — a big one — came up frequently as Soto took questions from reporters. Any potential hints about his future were dissected, like when he said he will enjoy playing alongside Aaron Judge“while I’m there.”

All those covering the call – and those watching at home on YES – wanted to know if the 25-year-old superstar, a season away from free agency, would be open to an extension.

“My priority right now is just get to know the team, get to know the guys, really,” Soto said in response to that question. “For me, I’m going to the team – to New York, to Tampa – wherever I’m gonna meet those guys and try to get a good relationship and try to really stick together, get to know those guys and push and try to get the same goal as they want. That’s what my main thing is right now.

“About any contract stuff, they know where to call and who to talk to. I’m here just to play baseball and try to keep concentrated.”

Soto provided that answer with his agent, Scott Boras, also on the Zoom. Boras clients typically test free agency, and Soto is surely trying to top the 15-year-year, $440 million extension the Nationals, his original team, offered him two seasons ago.

Soto rejected that deal, which spurred a trade to San Diego.

“I have not had any conversations regarding that,” Brian Cashman said after the trade became official when asked if Soto would be open to an extension before free agency. “So we understand that he’s a free agent at the end of this term. We understand that it’s a possible short-term situation.”

Prior to the trade, Boras said that he had not discussed the possibility of an extension with Soto. The client, meanwhile, didn’t sound too concerned about playing through all the speculation that will accompany his first — and possibly only — season in pinstripes.

“I think it’s not going to be that hard because I have one of the best agents in the league,” Soto said. “I think I put everything on him and let him do his magic for me. My mindset is to come here and play baseball and try to win a championship.”

Extension or not, Soto will make a pretty penny in 2024.

He is projected to earn $33 million in arbitration. Between that and the package Cashman sent to San Diego — pitchers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez plus catcher Kyle Higashioka — the Yankees are paying a lofty price for someone who may end up being a one-year rental.

However, the Bombers can use the next year to sell Soto on his new surroundings.

Cashman wants the Yankees to be the “Mecca of baseball” when it comes to luring premier talent, and he recently boasted about the team’s personnel, winning pedigree, care for players’ families, a passionate fanbase and life in the New York City area.

“There’s a lot to offer,” the GM said. “So I think that’s a recruiting beacon for anybody.

“If we take care of stuff like that, that recruiting effort becomes somewhat automatic. But hey, there’s 29 other teams with tremendous opportunities and cities out there and people in their own right and operations that they run. So that’s why it’s always a competition.”

For what it’s worth, Soto already seems to have a strong opinion of the Yankees.

“It’s a great, great organization and great team,” he said. “A team that really cares about players and everybody. That’s what we’ve been hearing all around.”

Soto added that he has uncles and friends who live in the area and that he’s always appreciated Yankees fans as a visitor.

“I mean, it’s always good to see family and friends that I have in New York,” Soto said of his past experiences playing in the city. “It’s nice to have them right there and come to visit sometimes. Definitely just a great vibe, a great feeling to be playing in New York. That stadium, the fans, the crowds are just incredible, even when they weren’t cheering for me. They were really booing me and everything. I really enjoyed my time there. It was pretty cool for me. It was great.”

Soto added that Yankee Stadium is a “great ballpark,” one that he’s hit well in previously.

But while everyone watching Soto is hoping for clarity regarding his future sooner than later, the three-time All-Star isn’t rushing to make any commitments.

“We just gotta get to know the organization, get to know the team,” Soto said when asked if he’ll be thinking about whether he wants to stay in New York long-term. “Right now, I’m more than excited to get there and see those guys and see how big Aaron Judge and [Giancarlo] Stanton are. It’s going to be pretty cool. That’s what I’m looking forward to right now, just to get comfortable on the team and watch how it’s going to be and how we’re going to grow.”

Asked if any Yankees players could compel him to stay for the foreseeable future, Soto shuffled past that question as well.

“That’s not their job,” he said. “That’s somebody else’s job. We’re here to make friends and make good relationships and try to be out there and play good baseball. I think that’s the last thing that they’re going to be talking about. We just got to go out there and talk about baseball and winning championships.”

Maybe Soto is right, and his new teammates won’t bring up what comes after 2024. But the young slugger can certainly bank on others raising the issue as he embarks on his first season in the Bronx.