Juan Soto discusses future -- again -- at All-Star Media Day - ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas — There will come a time when New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto will take his seat at All-Star Media Day and won't face constant questions about his future. Monday wasn't that time.

For the third straight year, Soto, wearing a different jersey on each occasion, attracted a hive of reporters more interested in his cloudy future than the Hall of Fame trajectory he's carved out.

Two years ago, in Los Angeles, Soto, representing the Washington Nationals, was smack in the middle of trade rumors. He was traded days later. Last summer, wearing a San Diego Padres uniform, the questions were whether he would sign a contract extension. Instead, he was traded again in December. On Monday, he donned the sport's most famous pinstripes at Globe Life Field with free agency looming mere months away.

«It's a little uncomfortable wearing different jerseys and changing teams,» Soto acknowledged in Spanish. «I'm looking forward to wearing one for a long time.»

Soto's short time in a Yankees jersey has thus far been a resounding success. He's become an instant fan favorite by slashing .295/.426/.558 with 23 home runs, a league-leading 79 walks, and a swagger ideal for New York City. He's done it batting in front of fellow All-Star starter Aaron Judge, creating an historic duo that has fueled the Yankees to a 58-40 record.

«Soto's been amazing,» Judge said. «He's the best hitter I've ever seen.»

Soto's production earned him his fourth straight All-Star appearance — and surprisingly his first as a starter — before his 26th birthday. Whether his fifth All-Star Game appearance will be as a Yankee will almost certainly be decided after a high-stakes offseason bidding war. Does he see himself as a Yankee beyond this season?

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