"I didn't even go there unless it was Soto." Yankees Owners Likely Remain ↑ Rampires $700 Million War With Rival Mets

Nov 21, 2024

New York Yankees owner Steinbrenner, who will

'I didn't even go there unless it was Soto.' Yankees Owners Likely Remain ↑ Rampires 700 Million War With Rival Mets

beat the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS on the 20th of last month (Korea time) to confirm his advance to the World Series and is holding the AL championship trophy. AFP Yonhap News

Juan Soto is increasingly likely to stay with the New York Yankees.

Soto and the Yankees met in secret near Newport Beach, California, on the 19th (Korea time) and conducted the first round of negotiations. A day later, the details of the negotiations were known.

In an interview with local media in the lobby of the MLB building in New York on the 21st, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said, `We exchanged very frank conversations and continued good meetings.' `All the executives who run our club participated in the negotiations" he said.

He continued "Our fans loved that Soto was in New York. He is a very important player for us to go to the World Series and has been told many things"If I re-sign with Soto, I will be able to make a relationship with Soto like Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge." Soto asked a lot about the club's player development system."

Steinbrenner, however, declined to comment on the details of the negotiations and whether to propose terms of the contract. In the negotiations with Soto, the leadership, including President Randy LeVin, General Manager Brian Cashman, General Manager Oma Minaya, and Director Aaron Boone, participated in the negotiations.

Steinbrenner said "Soto's contract is our club's top priority. Otherwise, I would not have gone to the West. We are definitely in the competition,' he said. `The burden of payrolls and luxury taxes increases year by year, which is a problem for all clubs. But we have the ability to sign whatever players we want," he said, expressing confidence.

New York Yankees owner Steinbrenner, who will

Local media are also reporting with very positive nuances about the first negotiations between Soto and the Yankees.

Sports Illustrated reported on the 20th that `'NJ Advance Media Bob Clafish asked owner Steinbrenner how he could believe that the team would improve its power' and asked Steinbrenner for confirmation that the Yankees would work hard to strengthen their power every year. Steinbrenner also explained to Soto his plans to upgrade the roster to win the American League and advance to the World Series'

The SI added that `Yankees negotiators did not offer Soto a contract, but left with the courage to proceed with the negotiations over the next few weeks.'

It is quite specific. In other words, Soto asked owner Steinbrenner what the way to strengthen his power to win the championship was. In response, Steinbrenner promised to make a major reinforcement of power this winter. Soto's FA strategy is winning power and money, and it can be said that he tried to get confirmation on winning power.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Juan Soto. AP Yonhap News

FA Juan Soto and agent Scott Boras. AP Yonhap News

According to NJ.com , 'According to a person familiar with the meeting, the Yankees left the negotiating table yesterday with a positive feeling that they could sign a long-term contract with Soto.' Owner Steinbrenner and his group, who will be engaged in hours-long face-to-face negotiations, were very encouraged by Soto's willingness to wear a pinstrip. Although no specific contract terms have been exchanged, the Yankees believe they will have a second round of negotiations within a few weeks and have an opportunity to talk about money,' he said.

This means that Soto and the Yankees had a considerable communication over the renewal of the contract. The overall atmosphere is flowing like that.

In addition, ESPN announced the results of a survey of the management of each club on the 20th during the corner 'MLB Offseason Survey: Trade with FA Predictions by General Managers', will Juan Soto sign a contract for more than $600 million? And who would give him that kind of money?When asked ', 12 out of 18 expected to go to the Yankees, and 11 expected more than $600 million in contracts.

ESPN said, `The team officials who participated in the survey believe that if Boras asks for the money needed for Soto's stay, it will pay as much as possible. The Yankees are a team that doesn't let stars leave the team. That's the case for other clubs,' he explained.

A senior member of a small market club told ESPN, `Do you think Steinbrenner will let the world's best player leave? The Dodgers are playing the new Yankees, but Soto is now wearing a Yankees uniform"He was sure to stay with the Yankees.

The Yankees' biggest rival in the Soto scramble is the New York Mets. According to former major leaguer Carlos Baerga, the Mets offered $660 million in their first meeting with Soto. Of course, the source is unclear, so it is difficult to confirm whether it is true.

As the Yankees shared considerable sympathy for renewing their contracts in the first round of negotiations, attention was paid to the second round of negotiations 'the size of the money'. Soto's market value has already exceeded $600 million and is expected to reach $700 million.

New York Post columnist John Heyman said, `Soto is clearly close to Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole.'

jhno@sportschosun.com