TAMPA — He needed no introduction, but just for good measure, the Yankees’ newest superstar took the stage Monday wearing a T-shirt that read, “The Generational Juan Soto.”
It is why the Yankees traded for him. It is why they are only guaranteed one year of his services before he hits free agency and a huge payday.
But in the meantime, they will try to chase a championship with the generational talent in pinstripes.
“It’s just incredible,” Soto said of his first hours at Yankees spring training after officially reporting on Monday morning. “Amazing organization. [So] far it’s been great. It’s been a great feeling. Great start for me. I think we’re in a good spot right now.”
Soto reiterated multiple times that he would let his agent, Scott Boras, handle all the contract talks, though it is widely expected that the 25-year-old outfielder will reach free agency instead of signing an extension with the Yankees ahead of time.
“For me, I’m just focusing on ’24,” Soto said. “I’m here to play baseball. I’m focusing on playing this year and trying to win as much as we can and bring a championship to New York.”
But the best left-handed hitter in the game will have a trial run of sorts this year to help determine whether he would be interested in remaining a Yankee long-term.
“We gotta get to know the Yankees organization and the city and how it is playing in New York, to see and make a decision there,” he said.
The Yankees made the trade for Soto knowing that it could be just a one-year run together.
Given the package of players they gave up to land him (and Trent Grisham), that will only increase the pressure on Soto and the Yankees to perform at the highest level.
“I’ve been dealing with this — I was in San Diego, same thing, they were talking about this was only one year and everything,” Soto said. “But it’s the same thing.
“You put the pressure on yourself. At the end of the day, I just try to throw that away and go out there and play baseball. Just try to show what I have and try my best. If it happens, it happens. If it don’t, we just gotta keep grinding and learning from it.”
As for the talent in the Yankees clubhouse, Soto said, “we think we have everything we need.”
He said he would bat wherever manager Aaron Boone decides, with the early indications being that Soto will hit second and Aaron Judge third.
“It’s gonna be two walks or two gappers,” Soto said. “But it’s going to be fun. If I’m hitting in front of him, I’m going to try to be as much as I can on the bases so he can do his job and drop the hammer to the ball.”
Soto was also looking forward to playing his home games in The Bronx.
“It’s gonna be electric,” he said. “It’s gonna be fun. There’s a lot of Latin community over there, so it’s going to be really exciting. It’s going to feel like home. I’m more than happy to be there.”