Count Brian Cashman among the many around the Yankees impre sed by Juan Soto. Cashmans opinion, though, counts more than most. The Yankees general manager traded for the superstar in December knowing that Soto, in all likelihood, would hit free agency at seasons end. Juan Soto belts Patrick Patterson Jersey a solo homer in the sixth inning of the Yankees 7-3 win over the As. Noah K. Murray / New York Post Soto, playing with a new club and during a contract season, has been everything the Yankees could have hoped, boasting an AL-best .431 on-base percentage, a .995 OPS and contributing more than expected in right field. Everybody knows hes a Hall of Fame-caliber type player, right? Hes one of a kind in that way. Only a few can be in that category, Cashman, in his first public comments of the season, said from a mural unveiling hosted by the Bronx Childrens Museum and Players Alliance. When you get those caliber or those types, you certainly hope that the transition is easy and its plug-and-play. Explore More And so far, the transition has been easy, and its been plug-and-play. Soto has been spectacular on the field and well-regarded off of it, manager Aaron Boone frequently crediting his makeup and clubhouse personality. He has heard M-V-P chants in right field and been embraced by a fan base that probably would like acce s to Hal Steinbrenners checkbook in hopes of extending the 25-year-old. Cashman again said there have been no extension talks. Brian Cashman Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Soto is represented by Scott Boras, who generally prefers his clients to hit the open market. Were really thankful and grateful that hes here and hes playing for us, Cashman said before Soto launched his sixth homer of the season in . Hes been a driving force for us. It feels like his personality fits the team, our fan base. Its been a good run. And hes obviously helped us hit that win column quite often so far. Jon Berti, who is out with a left groin strain, could begin a rehab a signment this weekend, Boone said. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Boone did not anticipate Berti would need a long stint in the minors before being ready. Berti has become crucial for the Yankees, who are without DJ LeMahieu and thus do not have a backup first baseman or backup shortstop because Oswaldo Cabrera is their everyday third baseman. Berti, who could return as soon as next week, could solve that i sue by spelling Cabrera at third. Nick Burdi, who last pitched April 16 before right hip inflammation sent him to the 15-day injured list, received an injection Monday, Boone said. The righty, who was able to throw from his knees during the downtime, could return to throwing from a mound this weekend. The Yankees are 17-2 (.895) this season when scoring at least three runs, the best such record in the majors. Alex Wood, Thursdays starting pitcher for the As, was ejected at the end of the first inning. It was unclear why. Bob McAdoo Jersey