After already assembly with just a few different suitors, Juan Soto will hear the Yankees out.
The Bombers, led by a contingent that features Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone, have been scheduled to fulfill with the proper fielder and his agent, Scott Boras, in Southern California on Monday, as first reported by the New York Put up. Boras’ company relies out of Newport Seaside.
Soto, the Yankees’ high offseason precedence, is already aware of the group, because the free agent famous person spent the 2024 season within the Bronx after being acquired in a blockbuster take care of the Padres final December. The 26-year-old thrived in pinstripes, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 homers and 109 RBI whereas hitting in entrance of Aaron Choose, the presumptive American League MVP, all season.
Soto additionally appeared to usually get pleasure from his time with the Yankees, becoming into the clubhouse and fostering an affectionate relationship with followers.
“This place was really special,” Soto stated after the Dodgers beat the Yankees within the World Sequence. “It’s been a blast for me. I’ve been really happy. Definitely if I’m here or not, I’ll be really happy for the teammates that I have and the people that I got to know in here. This was a really special group. But at the end of the day, we will see what’s going to happen.”
Boras added that Soto was “really comfortable” taking part in in New York and that he loved his Yankees expertise, although that doesn’t imply the four-time All-Star is staying put.
Final week, Boone stated that he would lean on his personal familiarity and relationship with Soto throughout the Yankees’ assembly, although the supervisor didn’t have a selected gross sales pitch deliberate.
“I do know him,” stated Boone, who performed an lively half in Choose’s free company just a few offseasons in the past. “Let it be organic and let the meeting go where it needs to go. I’m sure maybe he’ll have questions now that he is a free agent or want to address certain things. I’m just going to go in there and be myself and confident in my relationship with Juan and the ability to have honest conversations with him and certainly, hopefully cement the point of how valuable and how much we think of him, not only as a player, but as a person. I got to live that with him this year. That would be my sales pitch. Of course, how much we want him, but let the meeting go where it goes.”
Soto, an MVP finalist himself, is on the lookout for a deal that can pay him no less than half-a-billion {dollars}, fairly presumably rather more. He has already met with three Yankees rivals, the Blue Jays, Purple Sox and Mets, as he additionally seeks a house and a constant contender for the foreseeable future.
The Mets, funded by Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, are seen because the Yankees’ greatest competitors for the slugger.
“They want to win,” Cashman beforehand stated of the Mets. “They’re in a large market with us. They had a taste of success this year, and they want to move the needle even more forward.”
Whereas it’s unclear how lengthy Soto’s free company will final, the Yankees produce other wants this winter. The group has query marks at first base, second base, in each nook outfield spots and within the bullpen.
How the Yankees fill these holes — and spend their cash — will partially rely upon what Soto does, as Steinbrenner has voiced his want for a payroll underneath $300 million.
“It’s all about the teams and how far they want to take it,” Soto stated when requested about the opportunity of a lingering free company. “And how much they want to go back and forth. I feel like that’s one of the biggest things, because I’m here. They are the ones who have to come over to me. We’re going to be waiting till somebody comes over.”
