Juan Sotos free agency looms over his Yankees playoff debut with special season as advertised

Juan Soto’s first — and perhaps only — season in pinstripes has been all the Yankees could have asked for… so far.He has had his best full year at the plate and his presence in the lineup helped turn around a Yankees offense and provided a threat in front of Aaron Judge during Judge’s historic season.All that will be remembered, but Soto’s legacy as a Yankee will be defined significantly by what happens in October — and there’s no guarantee Soto will see another one in The Bronx as he heads toward free agency for the first time.Soto said Friday at Yankee Stadium he has been dealing with free agency questions for four years, when he was still in Washington.“It’s always part of it,’’ Soto said.“It’s always great to be on a winning team.”Soto said it hasn’t been difficult to put the thoughts of hitting the open market aside, even though it’s getting closer.“For me, it’s over,” Soto said.

“All the talk is over and now it’s about the playoffs and trying to get another championship.”That’s how the rest of the Yankees are dealing with the situation.“I’m not thinking of the free agency part of it,” Aaron Boone said before the Yankees workout at the Stadium Friday in preparation for Saturday’s Game 1 of the ALDS against the Royals.“I don’t think he is.

I think he is loving being here and being part of this team and knowing what’s at stake and what he has an opportunity to do.He’s been in playoff baseball before and won a championship, so he obviously knows what it takes.

I think that’s where his mind is.”That title came in 2019 with the Nationals, when Soto had a .927 OPS over 17 postseason games.He wasn’t as successful in 2022 as a Padre, with a .727 OPS in 12 games before San Diego lost in the NLCS.The spotlight will be on Soto again this month.He will turn 26 in three weeks and already has built a sizable resume and spoke Friday of becoming a part of Yankee all-time history.“I’ve got to make sur...