LOS ANGELES – In just a few weeks, Juan Soto stands to gain a wealth beyond his dreams. His performance over a single season with the renowned Yankees has catapulted him back onto the sport’s grandest stage.

However, Soto understands that despite his remarkable 2024 season, and the lucrative offers awaiting him in free agency, the true essence of success hinges on the outcome of this World Series match against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Not yet. Not yet. I have one more goal – winning the World Series,” Soto stated on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, right before the Yankees make their first World Series appearance since 2009.

“That’s the lasting legacy. You can be an outstanding player, but what truly defines you is winning a World Series and your contributions to that community.”

Especially in New York.

This Friday, Soto will mark his 26^th birthday by participating in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium, a feat that would be the pinnacle for almost all players his age. But Soto, still relatively young by major league standards, has already achieved so much in his brief career.

He won a World Series at just 20 – or 21 if you count his birthday as the Nationals clinched in 2019. By the age of 23, he had been traded away as the Nationals dwindled in competition and he turned down a $440 million contract extension that, believe it or not, was considered a lowball offer.

His tenure with the Nationals and Padres felt almost like a lead-up to his move to New York, which was a significant trade last December. While he enjoyed his time in those markets, the stakes were undeniably higher in the Bronx.

His time with the Yankees is a one-season opportunity—without any promise he would stay beyond this year. He has teamed up with star Aaron Judge, who needed a powerful left-handed hitter to complement the Yankees lineup.

In New York, anything short of winning the championship is viewed as a disappointment, even for a short stay.

“This organization is built on championships. You’re either a champion or you’re not,” stated slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who joined the Yankees in 2018 and is also in his first World Series. “Tenures are judged on winning, not on how close you got.”

“It’s about whether you won?”

‘He’s tailored for the grand stage’

Soto is acutely aware of the expectations, as he has been from the start. It might be reasonable for fans or even Soto himself to think he has achieved enough already—after all, what a short but impactful stint in the Bronx: 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, a .989 OPS, and to top it off, he was a Gold Glove finalist thanks to his impressive 8.8 Wins Above Replacement this season.

October is when Yankee legends truly rise, and Soto is no exception: His powerful three-run, tenth-inning home run clinched the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians, placing New York back in the World Series.

“He’s made for the biggest moments,” Stanton remarked. “He can manage it all. He’s an exceptional talent, a generational player who isn’t easily rattled.”

Five years ago, Soto made headlines with a jaw-dropping opposite-field home run against then-Houston Astro Gerrit Cole in Game 1 of the 2019 Series. Now, they are teammates, with Cole starting for Game 1, and he’s likely to reminisce about that 2019 blast.

More extraordinary moments lie ahead.

“This is going to mean a lot to me and my family,” Soto shared. “Being back here and reliving those memories with this team is special.”

“This group of players is truly unique, and I am fortunate to be a part of it.”

But what happens next?

Soto skillfully sidestepped multiple questions regarding his future on Thursday, a stark contrast to the previous time he stood in the center field plaza of Dodger Stadium—back in 2022 when he faced numerous questions after rejecting the Nationals’ extension offer under oppressive heat at the All-Star Game.

“That was intense. And it was really hot, too,” he recalled.

Yet Soto does not dwell on past difficulties. He triumphed in the Home Run Derby that night, was traded to the Padres shortly after, and made it to the 2022 NLCS.

Now, he faces a pivotal moment with an upcoming free agency, especially as teammates Stanton and Jazz Chisholm urged the Yankees’ management to ensure they retain him following his key clutch performances in the ALCS.

He is highly valued, but not particularly famous for his ability to serve as a human shield.

“Scott is making things easier for me. He’s handling all the tough challenges,” Soto remarks. “Right now, my focus is solely on playing baseball, and I’ll leave everything else to him.”

The circumstances are ideal for Soto’s return to the Yankees. He expresses his deep appreciation for his teammates and the connections he has formed. He is an excellent match for the spotlight of New York, and the feeling is reciprocated.

“He’s a superstar,” states manager Aaron Boone. “It’s really refreshing to be around him.”

Half a Billion Dollars: A Shot at a Championship

As December approaches, various teams will be showing interest. San Francisco, Toronto, the Mets from across the city, and possibly Philadelphia are among the teams the Yankees should keep an eye on.

These teams can offer the significant financial package Soto is expected to demand, as well as a legitimate chance at winning a championship.

And ultimately, beyond the monetary aspect, winning remains the top priority.

“Every player wants to enjoy their situation. At the end of the day, winning brings true happiness,” he explains. “Wherever you can compete for a championship, you will feel excited and eager to play.”

“That’s the key mindset: finding the best opportunity. Then you can go from there.”

On Friday night, the Yankees and Soto will begin to solidify this unique one-year journey, and possibly create a bond that feels unbreakable.