Juan Soto was traded to the New York Yankees with the expectation of contesting for the World Series. The risks associated with the trade were huge, and so were the rewards. But Soto, being Soto, lived up to the generational star tag. He hit .295 with 23 home runs and .985 OPS in the first half.
He subsequently made it to the American League All-Star team with teammate and captain Aaron Judge. That being said, ahead of the All-Star game, Juan Soto joined the MLB show for an exclusive interview where he shared his experience playing for the Bronx and also addressed the raging free agency rumours on his future.
Juan Soto Credits Fans For An Amazing Experience As A Yankee
After playing for the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres for six years combined, Juan Soto faced a real test of playing for a big city like the New York Yankees this season. The spotlight always stayed on Soto due to his stature in the league. While adjusting to the new and challenging environment was difficult, the generational star revealed that he never shies away from challenges but instead tends to thrive in them. During the All-Star game interview, Soto said he prepared well mentally and physically during the off-season to come out all guns blazing in pinstripes. “I like to take a challenge and just step up. I just did that,” Soto said on the MLB network show.
Further elaborating on how the New York Yankees stand out from the rest of the ball clubs, Juan Soto credited the fans for creating a thrilling atmosphere. Soto added that Yankee fans have been the most impressive fanbases he’s ever played for. They are hungry to win, and when the team does not do well, they never shy away from expressing their dissent. That shows the passion the fans have for the game and the franchise alike. So far, Soto is loving the vibe of being a Yankee, which might help the franchise in their free agency pursuit next off-season. However, for the time being, the generational star is not focused on what the future holds. He just wants to win games and eventually the championship for the esteemed organization before he heads out to a career-changing free agency in 2025.
Soto Uncertain About Yankees Future!
Meanwhile, Juan Soto also addressed the free agency rumours stating that he is getting uncomfortable with switching teams every now and than and that now he wants stability. While Soto wants to be on a winning team, he is unaware of what the future holds for him. “If I knew the future. I would play the lottery,” Soto joked in an interview.
Overall, Juan Soto confirmed that he is enjoying playing for the New York Yankees. That is a major sense of relief for the Yankee front office who are expected to make a strong push for his extension next off-season. While payroll has been an issue troubling owner Hal Steinbrenner, Soto’s upside must outweigh all the concerns.
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