"We'd love to have him for a long time” - Brian Cashman shares insights on Juan Soto's potential impact with the Yankees
Juan Soto has definitely been one of the star acquisitions for the Yankees this offseason. The young OF has been in great shape and form for the Bronx Bombers from the very start of the regular MLB season and has shown all the promises to be one of the greats to ever wear the pinestrips.
It seems that the ex-Nationals star has been an instant fit in the dressing room and with Yankees culture. The club's general manager Brian Cashman has validated this in a recent interview while discussing Soto's impact on the team.
Cashman appreciated the Dominican Republic star's performance in this initial stage of the regular season. He said:
"It has been a seemless transition. Everybody knows he's a great player. And obviously he's on a Hall of Fame type track. But, you know, see see what he does from afar and massive respect for those abilities. So we're excited obviously to happen, but you just don't know about the personality. And some people are very closed off or very guarded and stuff like that.
"He's seems very open and and fully engaged with our fans with his teammates. And so he's letting everybody in so obviously that's not fake. It's just seems to be he is, and so I feel like he's been here a long time. "
Cashman added:
"You know because how easily he allows people, whether it's in the clubhouse, or how he engaging the fans on the field and just communicating with them with his body language, in between innings in the outfield, but he's, in a warm-up and right fielder were obviously at the play when he does something special on the obvious jesters to them as he's rounding the bases after a homerun or something like that.
"He just went to his teammates. He just seems to be very open. And, and allowing people in, which obviously resonates with everybody. So, we're lucky to have him certainly we'd love to have him for a long time, but we're certainly going to enjoy him for the short term at the very least because he is obviously one of the game's greats."
Soto joined the Yanks on a year-long $31 million deal from the Padres. However, his deal is set to expire in 2025. Many are anticipating the 25-year-old to test his free agency next season, if the Yanks don't tie him up to a new contract before that.
However, Cashman is likely to keep Soto at the club for many more years to come, as he has already proven himself as an integral part of the team.
Juan Soto reflects on his relationship with Yankees fans following a superb start to his Bronx career
Juan Soto has had a very impressive run ever since he started the regular season as a new Yankees star. In 83 at bats till now, Soto has a batting average of .337 and OPS of 1.034, and has 28 hits, 14 runs and 5 home runs.
The loyal fans of the Bronx Bombers are loving the addition of Soto to their lineup. He has received a lot of love and support from the fans since his first day at the club.
In an interview, Soto recently discussed his warm relationship with Bronx fans. He said:
"They’re giving you a lot of love, so you got to give them some love back. Whenever I can, I just try to cheer for them, too.”