Juan Soto on possible Yankees extension: 'They know where to call'

Juan Soto started getting used to two things Tuesday: wearing a Yankees cap and facing questions about his future in The Bronx.

After being traded to the Yankees last week, with one year left on his contract before he hits free agency, Soto held his introductory press conference via Zoom on Tuesday, and it didn’t take long before he was asked whether he would be open to signing an extension.

“My priorities right now are just getting to know the team, getting to know the guys,” Soto said, logged in under the Zoom name “22,” the number he is keeping with the Yankees. “Going to New York, going to Tampa [the spring training complex], whenever I’m going to meet those guys, and try to get a good relationship and really stick together, get to know those guys. Try to get the same goal on Day 1. 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 concentrating on playing baseball.”

Soto was referring to his agent, Scott Boras, who was also on the Zoom call.

General manager Brian Cashman said last week that the Yankees made the trade with the Padres for Soto — and Trent Grisham in exchange for Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito and Kyle Higashioka — with the understanding that it could be just a one-year run together.

Cashman had not yet spoken to Boras, whose clients generally go to free agency so they can maximize their market, about any potential extension.

Soto indicated Tuesday he would let Boras handle those talks if they were to happen.

For that reason, the 25-year-old superstar outfielder said he wasn’t concerned about getting caught up in his uncertain future next season.

“I mean, I’ve been doing it for six years,” he said with a chuckle. “I think it’s not going to be that hard, because I have one of the best agents in the league. So I put everything on him and let him do his magic. For me, my mindset is coming here to play baseball and try to win a championship.”

Money often talks the loudest, but winning a title as a Yankee could go a long way in swaying Soto to stick around.

The three-time All-Star played a key role in the Nationals winning a World Series in 2019 then helped the Padres reach the NLCS in 2022.

“It’s been the same mindset since 2018 when I got to the league — winning, that’s all I care about,” Soto said.

For now, Soto will have next season to consider whether The Bronx is somewhere he would be comfortable playing long term.

He was looking forward to getting acclimated with his third team in less than two years and had already heard from new teammates including Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo after the trade went down.

“We just gotta get to know the organization, get to know the team,” he said. “Right now I’m more than excited to get there and see those guys and see how big is Aaron Judge and [Giancarlo] Stanton. It’s going to be pretty cool. That’s what I’m looking for right now, is just to get comfortable on the team and watch how it’s going to be and how we’re going to grow.”

In the Yankees’ ideal world, Soto may also have another new teammate in the weeks to come in Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

But even before then, their potential is high, especially with arguably the league’s best outfield tandem in Soto and Judge.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Soto said. “I’m going to be more than excited to share the field with him. He seems like a great guy. He was one of the guys that reached out to me when I got traded. … It’s going to be really fun to see him play, hitting and playing the outfield. Try to pick his mind when I’m there and try to enjoy the moment while I’m there.”

As for how long that lasts? The Yankees know where to call.