The New York Yankees owner, Hal Steinbrenner, is unsure whether the organization will be able to re-sign Juan Soto in free agency.
Soto is the best free agent available, and the Yankees are among several teams interested in signing the great outfielder. The outfielder is visiting other teams, and while Steinbrenner described it as a ‘nice meeting’ with’very honest back-and-forth communication,’ he is unsure whether they will be able to re-sign Soto.
“No idea,” Steinbrenner answered when asked if he was optimistic the team will re-sign Soto. “We will be in the mix. “I’ll leave it at that.”
Steinbrenner is not sure if the Yankees will re-sign Soto, but he hopes so. He also stated that re-signing Soto is a priority for the Yankees.
“Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York,” Steinbrenner stated. “He’s undoubtedly a big part of why we made it to the World Series. I have ears. I understand what’s required of me. So, it has been a priority. We would not have gone to the West Coast otherwise.”
Soto hit.288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs for the Yankees in 2024.
Yankees Owner Says Team is in a Good Spot in Offseason
The Yankees have long been one of the most expensive teams in Major League Baseball, and Steinbrenner expects that to continue in 2025.
Steinbrenner believes New York has space to spend this summer and is in a stronger position than last year.
“We’re in a stronger starting position now than we were last year. “There’s no doubt about it,” Steinbrenner stated. “Look, year after year after year, payrolls like this one and the luxury taxes they generate are unsustainable. That applies to the vast majority, if not all, of owners. Year after year – this does not imply that I cannot do what I want to do in any one year. I mean, we can sign any player we want.”
According to Spotrac, New York’s estimated salary in 2025 are more over $234 million before signing a free agent.
Yankees Manager Would ‘Love’ to Have Soto Back
Manager Aaron Boone, who got his contract extended until 2025, was among those that met with Soto.
Soto was an important part of Boone’s lineup in 2024, and he says he hopes the talented outfielder returns in 2025.
“As I’ve said all year, what Juan did for us between the lines was pretty special, and [he] put together a remarkable season,” Boone told the crowd. “But, equally, I was simply impressed by the individual. I enjoyed getting to know him and managing him. I’d want to have him back, obviously. I want him to wear pinstripes going forward. But you also know there will be a lot of people vying for it, so who knows where it will wind up?”
Boone stated that he hoped to have an open chat with Soto about his abilities as a player and how he envisioned using him in the future if he remained with the Yankees.
Boone has been the Yankees manager since 2018, leading the team to a record of 603-429.
