New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has made it clear that he envisions superstar right fielder Juan Soto as a long-term fixture in the Bronx.
Steinbrenner expressed his desire to retain Soto beyond the 2024 season, indicating his willingness to initiate contract discussions before the player hits free agency this winter.
Steinbrenner has already reached out to Soto"s agent, Scott Boras, signaling his interest in starting negotiations.
“We"d like to see him here for the rest of his career. I don’t think there’s any doubt of that," Steinbrenner told Curry.
“His agent doesn’t usually do deals in the middle of the season, and neither do I. It can be a distraction. But this is a unique situation with a unique player. So I wouldn’t be shocked if there were a conversation or two during the season. I wanted to give Juan time to settle in and have a conversation with him at some point."
Following the Yankees" 5-0 victory over the Twins on Thursday, which improved their American League-best record to 30-15, Soto responded to Steinbrenner"s comments.
Speaking at his locker, Soto stated, “My door has always been open. Whenever [Steinbrenner] wants to start talking to Scott and his people, they’re always open to hear whatever he has. For me, I’m just focusing on the game right now."
Soto added, “It is really nice to see owners and GMs talking about me being on their team for my whole life. But at the end of the day, I’m focusing on this year, what we want to achieve this year, and how far we want to go."
Curry also reached out to Boras, who confirmed his willingness to engage in discussions during the season.
“Always happy to talk with Hal. Juan is getting to know the Yankee organization. His singular focus is winning," Boras texted.
Soto, who joined the Yankees in a blockbuster trade from the Padres last December, has been impressive despite a recent slump. He is currently hitting .302 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 45 games.
Steinbrenner praised Soto"s performance and his ability to handle pressure, stating,
“He’s generational. He’s the complete package. I had no doubts he would perform here under pressure. Zero doubt. He’s fun to watch."
While Soto enjoys playing for the Yankees and appreciates their passionate fan base, he remains cautious about committing to a long-term deal.
“You’ve always got to know about the team and how everything’s going to work out. There are going to be ups and downs throughout the season, and you want to see how everyone’s going to react. So I think it’s going to take a full season to settle in and really feel comfortable," Soto said.
When asked if he would consider passing up free agency if the Yankees made a satisfactory offer, Soto reiterated his openness to negotiations.
“Like I said before, my door is always open. If they want to call Scott and start talking about it, it’s up to them. They know the phone number. They know where to call."
Ultimately, the decision will rest with Soto, who acknowledges the role Boras will play in any potential negotiations.
“At the end of the day, but [Boras] definitely is going to be the guy who’s been pulling for me and trying to do stuff like that," Soto concluded.
