Surrounded by reporters within the foyer of MLB’s Midtown places of work on Wednesday, Hal Steinbrenner did his finest to keep away from direct solutions concerning the Yankees’ latest assembly with Juan Soto.
The proprietor, together with Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, Randy Levine and Omar Minaya, visited Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, in Southern California on Monday. Soto, an MVP finalist and essentially the most coveted free agent in baseball, had already met with the Blue Jays, Purple Sox and Mets, and the fitting fielder has since obtained curiosity from the Dodgers and Phillies after serving to the Yankees attain the World Sequence in 2024.
“It was a really trustworthy back-and-forth dialogue,” Steinbrenner mentioned at MLB’s House owners Conferences. “I think he learned a lot about our organization spending a year here, obviously, and I think he enjoyed his time here.”
Steinbrenner referred to as it a “good assembly,” which lasted just a few hours. He added that Soto requested concerning the Yankees’ participant improvement system, a side of the franchise he didn’t get to know after being acquired from the Padres final December.
Steinbrenner additionally mentioned that if Soto returns, he’d like the 2 of them to get pleasure from an in depth relationship, one thing the proprietor has with two of the Yankees’ largest stars.
“We didn’t get to know one another that properly [last season],” Steinbrenner mentioned. “I used to be instructed that he’s somebody that when he’s within the clubhouse, he’s in a zone like no different. And with gamers like that, I simply don’t like interrupting that course of and pulling anyone apart, dragging him into Boone’s workplace to have conversations.
“However we did discuss that in California, and will he be again subsequent 12 months, I made it clear that the sort of relationship I would really like is the sort of relationship I’ve with Gerrit [Cole] and with Aaron Choose. In order that message was conveyed.”
Past that, Steinbrenner didn’t reveal a lot concerning the Yankees’ Soto summit.
With the 26-year-old Soto anticipated to signal for properly over half-a-billion {dollars}, Steinbrenner wouldn’t say if any contract figures have been mentioned. Steinbrenner additionally mentioned he had but to consider a “walk away” quantity for Soto.
Steinbrenner mentioned the identical of the Yankees’ total payroll however added, “We’ve bought the flexibility to signal any participant we wish to signal.”
“No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that,” Steinbrenner mentioned when requested how assured he’s that the Yanks can retain Soto. “All I know is he’s earned this, and he’s gonna go through the process.”
With one assembly within the books, Steinbrenner isn’t positive of subsequent steps. He hasn’t determined if the Yankees will wait on Soto earlier than pursuing numerous different wants, akin to pitching, first base, second base and left discipline.
Steinbrenner additionally mentioned “no idea” when requested if he anticipated one other assembly with Soto, however it might be shocking if there weren’t follow-ups with the Yankees and different suitors.
The Mets have been described because the Yankees’ largest competitors for Soto, as Steve Cohen is baseball’s richest proprietor. “Of course it’s a concern,” Steinbrenner mentioned of the hedge fund supervisor’s billions, however he downplayed the concept that dropping Soto to the neighboring Mets would include further ache.
“My relationship with Steve is good, but any given owner is going to do what any given owner does depending on how important they think the player is to their franchise,” Steinbrenner mentioned, including that he hasn’t spoken to Cohen about Soto. “If it doesn’t work out, it’s going to hurt a little bit no matter where he goes.”
Some imagine that Soto will go to the best bidder, although the famous person has cited sustained competition as an essential a part of his choice. Steinbrenner, who wouldn’t talk about the Yankees’ capability to match any supply, mentioned he didn’t have an opinion on that notion.
Nonetheless, he’s hoping that Soto’s 12 months with the Yankees will issue into his future plans after the All-Star thrived hitting in entrance of Choose, bonded with followers, match into the clubhouse, and constructed shut relationships with teammates.
“All I can tell you is I do believe he enjoyed his time here,” Steinbrenner mentioned. “He’s shut with Aaron Choose. He’s shut with Aaron Boone. So we’ll see, however ultimately, he must do what’s finest for him and his household.
“His experience here was positive. There’s no doubt about that.”
Steinbrenner additionally is aware of that the Bronx devoted desires Soto again, irrespective of the price.
Whereas he averted speaking about cash, the proprietor did acknowledge that need.
“We hearken to our followers,” Steinbrenner mentioned. “Our followers actually loved having him in New York. He’s positively a big a part of why we bought to the World Sequence.
“I’ve bought ears. I do know what’s anticipated of me.”
