Juan Soto on contract extension talks, the Stadium's short porch and winning with Yankees

NEW YORK – In his first formal media address as a New York Yankee, Juan Soto mentioned that he was playing a Nintendo video game with friends when he learned of last week’s trade from the San Diego Padres.

After all, he only turned 25 on Oct. 25.

Anyone who listened Tuesday might have been struck, once more, about Soto’s youth – how much he’s already accomplished and what's potentially ahead for one of the game’s elite hitters.

Securing him for the long term is a pinstriped issue for another day.

Dealing in the here and now, Soto’s lineup presence makes the Yankees a stronger contender in 2024, and “that’s all I care about,’’ he said, wearing a brand-new Yankees cap.

“I come to the field thinking about winning every day.’’

Here are a few takeaways from Soto’s news conference:

Soto's take on contract extension talks

As long as Scott Boras is Soto's agent, you could almost guarantee that Soto is wading into free agency when he's eligible after the 2024 season.

That won't prevent the Yankees from trying to engage in talks of an extension, knowing Soto turned down a $440 million contract in mid-2022 by the Washington Nationals (albeit with a $29.33 million annual average salary).

Soto provided straightforward answers to questions about his future, saying he was "more than excited to be right here in the spot that I am...for next season.''

Later, Soto mentioned that he'd "try to enjoy the moment while I’m there,'' not giving away anything in the way of future negotiations.

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Another view on Soto's pinstriped future

On the same subject of potentially being a Yankee beyond 2024, Soto gave a perfectly diplomatic answer.

"My priority right now is to get to know the team, get to know the guys...and try to get the same goal as they want,'' said Soto, who then made a reference to Boras.

"My contract stuff, they know where to call and who to talk to. I’m here just to play baseball. It’s not going to be that hard because I have one of the best agents in the league.

"I put everything on him and let him do his magic,'' said Soto, expected to earn about $33 million in 2024, his final year of arbitration.

Soto's approach at Yankee Stadium

Short sample size to be sure, but Soto has four homers in just 23 career at-bats at Yankee Stadium, with a 1.219 OPS.

“It’s a great ballpark…I’m comfortable to be there,’’ said the lefty-swinging Soto, who customarily drives pitches to left-center field.

Would he be compelled to pull the ball more at Yankee Stadium?

“I’m going to try to keep my same approach,’’ Soto said. “We all know there’s a really short porch right there (and) if I get the chance…to hit it that way, that’s fine for me.

“But definitely, my strength is going to left center and that’s what I’m going to try to do.’’

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Soto "open'' to any outfield position, batting order spot

Outfield defense is not Soto’s specialty, and the metrics say that Soto is a better right fielder than left fielder.

On a regular basis, the Yankees are planning to play newly acquired Alex Verdugo in left at Yankee Stadium with Aaron Judge in center field and Soto in right.

You also hear that Soto prefers batting third, rather than second, though he could wind up in the No. 2 spot ahead of Judge.

Those discussions haven’t yet occurred, but Soto pledged that he’s open to “whatever spot in the lineup, whatever position to play.“Whatever spot they need me, I’m going to try to do my best.’’

New teammates reaching out

Soto said that Judge, the team captain, was “one of the first guys to reach out to me’’ after the trade, and that left-right power combo is instantly one of the game’s marquee threats.

Gleyber Torres, Anthony Rizzo and Gerrit Cole were also among the new teammates to contact Soto, welcoming him aboard.

“(It’s) special they reached out to me and let me know how excited they are,’’ Soto said.

Soto's New York friends and family

In 2018, Soto’s first two-homer game came at Yankee Stadium, with one shot launched over the left-center field wall.

Soto, from Santo Domingo, mentioned that he has uncles from both sides of his family living currently in New York, and he recalled having friends and family in the stands to witness that “pretty cool moment’’ in 2018, as a Washington Nationals rookie.

Just win, baby

As one of the very few Yankees who own a World Series ring, Soto said his definition of a perfect season “is winning a championship,’’ which he did with the 2019 Nationals against Cole’s Houston Astros.

“That’s all I care about. I come to the field thinking about winning every day,’’ said Soto, coming off a decidedly disappointing season with the high-priced, talented Padres.

“I got a little taste of it in 2019. It’s a great feeling and I want to do it again,’’ said Soto, adding he plans to “bring the energy, give (my teammates) a good vibe to support each other and try to win a championship.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Juan Soto on contract extension talks, winning with Yankees