Juan Soto, the Dominican star of the New York Yankees, is on the verge of making history in MLB. With the Yankees securing a spot in the playoffs, Soto will become the youngest player in league history to appear in three postseasons with different teams.
However, a recent report has surfaced revealing that Hal Steinbrenner, Managing General Partner of the Yankees, has met with Juan Soto to discuss his future. Steinbrenner has publicly expressed his desire to keep Soto in pinstripes, but the player has made it clear that he plans to explore his options in free agency at the end of the season.
According to a report by Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, last July, Soto and Steinbrenner held a private meeting to discuss the outfielder’s future. While Soto didn’t reveal specific details of their conversation, he confirmed that it was a valuable opportunity to get to know Steinbrenner and share his expectations.
Kuty reports that the meeting largely focused on Soto’s experience with the team. “It’s always good to see an owner come over, at least to say hi,” Soto told The Athletic. “To see how we’re doing, what we have in mind, and things like that. It’s great to have an owner that truly cares about the players.”
The fierce battle for Juan Soto’s signature in MLB free agency
At 25, Soto has displayed extraordinary talent since his MLB debut. This season with the Yankees, he has set a career-high with 41 home runs and leads the American League in runs scored. His performance has been pivotal to the Yankees’ success and solidifies him as one of the best hitters in MLB today.
The Yankees will face fierce competition for Soto’s services in free agency. Teams like the New York Mets, along with other high-paying franchises, are expected to pursue one of the top hitters in the game.
The meeting between Soto and Steinbrenner signals the Yankees’ willingness to put forth an effort to keep him in the Bronx. However, the final decision will depend on the terms of the contract and the offers Soto receives from other teams.