New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) and right fielder Juan Soto (22) during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Stadium Head to the break room before starting. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images NEW YORK — Before the Yankees reached the American League Division Series playoffs, New York manager Aaron Boone downplayed the significance of the moment in front of slugger Juan Soto.
Soto, an assistant to Aaron Judge and heading into free agency at age 25, had a 41-homer, 109-RBI season with the Yankees.
“I'm not thinking about the free-agent part of it. I don't think he is,” Boone said during the team's workout Friday at Yankee Stadium, the final preparation for Saturday's ALDS opener against the Kansas City Royals. “I think he enjoys coming here and being a part of this team and knowing what's at stake and what he has the opportunity to do. He's been in playoff baseball before. He's won championships before. He obviously Know what it takes.
“I think that's what he's thinking about. Talk about being present; I think he's very present and obviously he's having an amazing regular season. Obviously, we're relying on him a lot in the lineup, but I think he's in a great place. .
Whether he wins or loses this series, Soto is undoubtedly in a great spot. It's been two years since Judge signed a $360 million contract in 2023. The number one player. Soto's value is expected to be somewhere in between, which was crucial as he was traded from the Washington Nationals to the Padres and then to the Yankees before signing a long-term deal.
“I don't think he's going to be that forward. I think that's because – at that point, they're going to take care of it,” Boone said. “But right now, I think he's completely focused on performing on the big stage in the playoffs.”
Soto hit 41 home runs in 214 games with the Padres and 208 career homers, including 17 in 2019's postseason run as the Nationals reached the World Series. 5 home runs.
Boone said he sensed Soto enjoyed being with the Yankees. Teammates, from the head coach to the No. 25 player on the roster, love having Soto, too.
“If I could go out there every day with these skills, I'd probably enjoy my time, too,” Boone said. “But look at how he interacts with his teammates, look at the ease with which he moves around the room. To me, his comfort level in our room tells me that.”
Even opposing players praised Soto when he spoke to reporters Friday at Yankee Stadium. Right-hander Michael Wacha, who will start Game 1 for the Royals and played with Soto last season with the Padres, called Soto an “incredible talent.”
“He's swinging at bat, hitting the ball out of the zone, and every time he swings, he's making good contact with the ball, hitting it hard and finding a lot of holes,” Wacha said. “He's hitting the ball really well. Average, big hitting power, ability to move guys, he's an unbelievable talent that you have to plan for.”
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