Juan Soto Responds to Yankees Owner Wanting to Keep Him in New York Long Term
When the New York Yankees traded for star outfielder Juan Soto this past offseason, it signaled a revival of their powerhouse reputation. Soto, a standout player for years, joins forces with Aaron Judge to create a formidable lineup. As a premier talent in baseball, Soto is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
The Yankees are eager to retain Soto long-term, but it hinges on the contract they offer him. Soto is likely to demand a substantial deal, possibly exceeding the $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani received from the Los Angeles Dodgers. To ensure Soto doesn’t hit the open market, the Yankees will need to present a strong offer.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner discussed the possibility of keeping Soto during an appearance on the Yankees News & Views podcast.
Yankees Owner Wants Juan Soto to Finish His MLB Career in New York https://t.co/K4Z9EMi3GT pic.twitter.com/slZbeTvKM2
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“We all know he’s generational, right?” Steinbrenner remarked. “He’s the complete package. I had no doubts he would perform here under pressure; zero doubts with that. I was curious to see how he’d interact with the fans, how he would interact with the media, and of course how he would interact with the rest of the players, and it’s just been great, great, and great on those three things… We’ve seen the animated side of him as well. He’s fun to watch.”
While Steinbrenner typically avoids contract negotiations during the season, he acknowledged that Soto might be an exception.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt of that,” Steinbrenner said. “His agent, Scott [Boras], doesn’t tend to normally do deals in the middle of a season. Neither do I. I think it can be a distraction. But as I said in Spring Training when I met with [the media], this is a unique situation and a very unique player. So, I wouldn’t be shocked if there was a conversation or two had possibly during the course of the season.”
Soto has expressed openness to staying with the Yankees long-term since the trade. While exploring free agency has been his plan, he remains open to discussions with New York.
At just 25 years old, Soto is entering his prime. The Yankees haven’t won a title since 2009, a long drought for this storied franchise. Soto could be the key to immediate and future success, so the Yankees would be wise to make him feel valued in every possible way.