New York Yankees GM Focuses on Maximizing Juan Soto’s Debut Season, Pushes Aside Impending Free Agency Worries

All aboard the positivity train. The New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is certainly ready to ride in one. After a disappointing season, he started the offseason with a bang when he traded for Juan Soto. However, that trade came with a massive caveat – the free agency of the Childish Bambino after 2024. While this effectively made the trade a rental, it also gave the Yankees a powerful motivation to make the most of that year. Cashman seems to agree with that sentiment. 

The Yankees have been on a media run since the Spring Training began. They’ve made their intentions known- to lift the World Series trophy. More importantly, they want to do it as soon as possible. While the free agency of Juan Soto may be hanging over like a sword, Brian Cashman has other things to worry about.

New York Yankees GM ignores thoughts regarding the free agency of Juan Soto

Yankees GM Brian Cashman continued his recent media tour. This time he was interviewed by MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi. He spoke from the mind of every Bronx Faithful – Is there a chance of Juan Soto signing an extension? While Cashman didn’t deny the chances, he shared, “He’s this close to free agency. I don’t see too many things stopping him from hitting free agency.” 

However, the thoughts of free agency are not what Cashman focused on. The Yankees GM made his goals clear, “We’re just looking to see if we collectively can crush it together, have an amazing walk year, and (have) him put up numbers he’s capable of putting up…See if we all have a good time and then have a conversation thereafter.” 

It has been the stance of the Bombers ever since they traded for Soto. The Bronx Squad is focusing on capitalizing on the one year they have with the superstar. While speculations have been growing that the Yankees wish for Soto to sign an extension, things look a little tight upfront.

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Not only is Soto quite near his free agency, but his agent Scott Boras prefers his clients to enter the market. But the Yankees do have him for 2024 and have a sound plan to make it worthwhile.

The superstar lineup of the Pinstripes

Brian Cashman is practical that the left-right combination of Soto and Aaron Judge will make the Yankees a dominant force. One thing that the Pinstripes had been lacking for the last few years was an explosive partner for their captain. Soto’s arrival solved that conundrum. 

With skipper Aaron Boone continuously hoping for DJ LeMahieu to lead off this attack, things could get spicy for the Yankees soon. Despite a below-average start, LeMahieu ended the season very strongly. It’ll be interesting in how this lineup will fare only a month till we find out.

Read more: Juan Soto Delivers Uplifting Speech to Young Yankees in Dominican Republic: “The Dream is Just the Beginning”