Brian Cashman: Juan Soto, Yankees Haven't Talked New Contract After Padres Trade

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters Thursday that the organization has yet to hold contract extension negotiations with newly acquired outfielder Juan Soto.

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Cashman added that while the Yankees are aware Soto could potentially sign elsewhere in free agency after only one year, he makes the team "significantly better."

Cashman also said it is his goal for the Yankees to be viewed as the "Mecca of baseball" to get Soto and other players to want to sign long-term deals with the franchise, per Hoch.

The Yankees and the San Diego Padres completed a long-rumored blockbuster trade Wednesday night with the Padres dealing Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham to the Yanks for pitchers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez, and catcher Kyle Higashioka.

The 25-year-old Soto is one of the best young hitters in the game, and as a member of the Yankees, he will combine with 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge to form one of the best offensive duos in baseball.

This marks the second time Soto has been traded since 2022, as the first trade saw the Washington Nationals send him to San Diego when they were unable to sign him to an extension.

The Padres got Soto when he was just one year removed from finishing second in the National League MVP voting and a few years removed from leading the Nats to the 2019 World Series title.

Like the Yankees, the Padres acquired Soto with no assurances of a contract extension, and it nearly worked out, as they made it to the National League Championship Series in 2022.

San Diego disappointingly went 82-80 and missed the playoffs last season, but Soto more than pulled his weight, slashing .275/.410/.519 with a career-high 35 home runs, plus 109 RBI, 97 runs, 12 stolen bases and an NL-high 132 walks.

The Yankees also went 82-80 and missed the playoffs last season despite entering the year as World Series contenders, so they needed to make a big move.

The offense was a major issue, as they had little in the way of complementary hitting around Judge and no one to anchor the lineup when he was out injured.

Soto fills that role perfectly, and he also brings a beautiful left-handed swing with plenty of pop to Yankee Stadium, which famously features a short porch in right field.

Losing Soto in free agency next offseason would be a major blow for the Yankees considering the quality pitching prospects and depth they gave up to get him, but it is a worthwhile risk since the three-time All-Star could instantly help launch them back into the World Series conversation.