ARLINGTON, Texas — Juan Soto will not be able to dodge questions about his impending free agency wherever he goes, and the All-Star Game allowed many more attempts at prying out clues about his future.
The Yankees superstar — who spent his first four and a half seasons with the Nationals before he was sent to the Padres, with whom he played for a year and a half prior to the offseason blockbuster trade to the Yankees — acknowledged that he is ready to settle down.
“It’s a little uncomfortable wearing different jerseys and changing teams,” Soto said in Spanish, according to ESPN, on Monday during the All-Star Game media day at Globe Life Field. “I’m looking forward to wearing one for a long time.”
The question, of course, will become whether he is in pinstripes.
Hal Steinbrenner already has gone on record with YES Network in saying he wants Soto in The Bronx “for the rest of his career.”
The Yankees owner has hoped to negotiate with Soto ahead of free agency, but there is little chance of Soto, a Scott Boras client, signing before hitting the open market.
The Yankees are hoping that this season will help convince Soto that he already is at home.
“Who wouldn’t want to be with a team that wins?” Soto said, according to ESPN. “For me, while you’re on a winning team, it’s always good to be there and be a part of it.”
Soto consistently has said he has enjoyed his time in The Bronx and clearly has hit it off with the fan base.
The Yankees have no complaints about Soto, who earned his first All-Star Game start and has posted a .985 OPS with 23 home runs and a majors-best 79 walks, hitting in front of Aaron Judge, in his first 94 games as a Yankee.