Juan Soto's reaction to Yankees fans' chants puts pressure on Brian Cashman

Juan Soto's spectacular season has only emboldened his position as this Yankees offseason's primary target, but on Sunday, he did the one thing he could still do to annoy Brian Cashman: invited the fans to reach out and speak with him.

Soto, who started Sunday afternoon's seventh-inning home run brigade, shamelessly reacted to the Bleacher Creatures in the aftermath, as he's done all season long. As chants of "Please Stay, Soto!" rang out, he acted demure, gesturing that he'd heard the buzz and felt the love, but his hands were tied.

After the game ended, he was predictably asked about the moment in the wake of victory bells. While chuckling, he sent the ball right back to Brian Cashman's court.

After all, it takes two to tango on this one. Clearly, though, he would like to be given a reason to stay -- as long as the team's top brass puts forth a competitive offer.

Yankees' Juan Soto wants Bleacher Creatures to talk to Brian Cashman

Begging for a player to be given a "blank check" has become overused these days, and occasionally results in a six-year contract for DJ LeMahieu. In this situation, though, said "blank check" is very much warranted. Pay Soto and Judge. Worry about position switches and 2039 at a later date.

Just a few days after Soto's barber predicted that anything short of a World Series title could result in a Soto-Mets deal, it's clear the crowd at the stadium, enthralled by the show, wanted to take the opportunity to remind the slugger of how much they loved rooting him on and forming a partnership with him. Based on the way he's reacted to the sun-baked crew in right field all year long, it's obvious he responds well to their energy, and feels at home alongside Aaron Judge in the lineup. After all, their patented celebration has been well-practiced by now, after Judge's 51st dinger.

But energy doesn't cement long-term contracts. Money talks. Soto's barber gave hope later in the interview when he mentioned that, as long as Cashman can get within $50 million of the Mets' massive deal, Soto could be swayed. In case he wasn't thinking about specifics before October, Sunday represented another reminder that the Yankees might be starting with a leg up, but only Cashman and Hal can close the deal.