This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees had been deep in negotiations with the Padres for days, repeatedly volleying proposals that could deliver Juan Soto to the Bronx. Brian Cashman recognized that the two sides were getting close; there would be a heavy price, as the longtime general manager informed Hal Steinbrenner, but this was someone worth paying for.

Steinbrenner, to his credit, hardly flinched. The managing general partner swiftly approved the five-player package to obtain Soto from San Diego in December, fully understanding that they held no guarantee they would keep the 25-year-old superstar past this season. It was worth the risk, Cashman reasoned. So far, he’s been absolutely right.

“It’s been great,” Cashman said on Wednesday, a few hours before Soto hit his team-leading sixth homer in the Yankees’ 7-3 victory over the Athletics. “Listen, everybody knows he’s a Hall of Fame-caliber type player, right? He’s one of a kind that way. Only a few can be in that category.

“When you get those caliber or those types, you certainly hope that the transition is easy and it’s plug and play. And so far, the transition has been easy and has been plug and play.”

That’s an understatement. Soto’s blend of patience and power has been a welcome addition for an offense that has experienced periods of stagnation in the early going, a consistent and reliable presence in the No. 2 spot of the lineup.

Soto has reached base in 22 of 25 games this season, hitting .319/.431/.564 with 17 runs, five doubles, 22 RBIs and 20 walks. He has reached base multiple times in 15 of those games, remarking several times how it “feels like family” being part of the clubhouse.

When the Bleacher Creatures serenaded Soto with chants of "M-V-P!" earlier this week, Soto grinned, saying: “I think it’s way too early, but definitely it feels great. They’ve just really supported me every day, day in, day out. It just feels amazing.”

“We’re really thankful and grateful that he’s here and playing for us,” Cashman said. “He’s been a driving force for us. It feels like his personality fits the team and our fan base. It’s been a good run, and he’s obviously helped us hit that win column quite often so far, thankfully.”

Earlier this spring, Steinbrenner reflected upon the hours preceding the Dec. 6 trade for Soto, when his team shook up the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., by dealing pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez and Drew Thorpe to the Padres along with catcher Kyle Higashioka.

“He’s a generational player,” Steinbrenner said. “The opportunity arose where the Padres needed certain things that we had. I don’t know how you can say no if you’re able to do it financially, and able and willing to give up what they’re asking for -- which was not easy for me to give up those guys.

“But I don’t know how you could say no if both of those things are possible to get a player like that, even if it is for one year. Hopefully it’s not. But that’s not something I was going to say no to if both of those factors fell into place.”

The early returns have shown that Soto and the Bronx are a terrific fit. The question remains: Will the Yankees be able to extend his stay?

Cashman said on Wednesday, quite matter-of-factly, that there have still been no extension discussions with Soto. He has repeatedly reiterated that the club expects to see Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, hit free agency after the season.

After turning down a 15-year, $440 million extension from the Nationals in 2022, it would be a shock to see Soto bypass a chance to see what the open market would offer. But expect to see the Yankees first in line to bid for Soto. Where would they be without him?