Soto debuts at camp, with Yankees tenure beyond '24 all but clear - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — On his first official day in camp, Juan Soto walked into George M. Steinbrenner Field, the sun barely up over the horizon, flashed a big smile and told the New York Yankees' social media account, «I have a great feeling.»

Based on the comments on Instagram, Yankees fans agree.

They're also making demands: Make Soto a Yankee for life and give him an extension before he reaches free agency at the end of the season.

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That remains an unlikely scenario, however, as for now Soto says he's focusing on 2024 — and decidedly noncommittal about his long-term future.

«We have to get to know the Yankees organization and the city and how it is playing in New York and then make a decision,» he said while addressing the media wearing a T-shirt reading, «The Generational Juan Soto» and picturing himself in full follow-through swing.

He's just here to play baseball, in other words. He'll let agent Scott Boras worry about his free agency and doesn't believe there will be any additional pressure because of his contract situation or playing for the Yankees. He faced a similar scenario in San Diego.

«About that free agent stuff and everything, I just let Scott do his thing. I have a lot of trust in him. That's one of the biggest things I have, that I just trust him so much I forget about all that and just go play baseball. When I came here, I was just thinking, 'I have another chance to compete and go try to win another championship.'»

Last week, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted, «The odds are this is a one-year situation. I don't see too many things stopping him from reaching free agency.»

Indeed, Soto will play this season at age 25 and enter free agency at 26, still