Was it the Yankees owner's bluff? As if he failed in the battle for Soto, "'It's hard to get more than $550 million.'"
Dec 02, 2024
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The confidence of Yankees owner Steinbrenner, who said, `I will bear the burden of luxury tax and sign whatever player I want' is about to turn into a bluff.
New Jersey media NJ.com Yankees reporter Randy Miller said in an interview with New York's WFAN radio on the 1st (Korea time), `The Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets are the most likely places to sign Soto. I heard former Boston designated hitter David Otis is playing hard to get Soto, and Soto is very happy with the Boston club"And Boston promised Soto that there would be two or three additional recruits."
Boston is a team in the second round of Soto's FA negotiations last week. Otis previously said of Boston's attitude toward Soto, `I've never seen the Red Sox do this to a player.' Otis is a legendary designated hitter who led Boston to three World Series championships in 14 years from 2003 to 2016. He is from the Dominican Republic like Soto as a person who can hear the news of the Boston club more closely than anyone else. In other words, it's reliable news.
Reporter Miller continued "From what I hear, the Yankees certainly acknowledge the value of signing Soto, but I don't think they're going to bet up to $600 million. I hear the Yankees will stop betting at $550 million" he said.
In the end, the Yankees, considered one of Soto's most likely destinations, were eliminated, and the New York Mets and Boston narrowed down to the two closest teams, namely the two-way race.
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Owner Steinbrenner has hinted that he cannot afford to finance due to the burden of luxury taxes. It is said that the policy is firm to reduce the payroll, which recorded $315 million this year, to less than $291 million next year. The Yankees' luxury tax is expected to reach about $60 million this year.
However, Steinbrenner met with Soto and agent Scott Boras in Newport Beach near LA on the 19th of last month and returned to New York after the first round of negotiations, saying, `We exchanged very honest conversations and continued our good meeting. All the executives who run our club participated in the negotiations"Soto's contract is our club's top priority." Otherwise, it would not have gone all the way to the West. Payroll and luxury tax burdens have increased 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.
However, the betting competition is losing ground to Boston as well as the Mets. Mets owner Steve Cohen says he is willing to give $50 million more to anyone, no matter how muchThere was also a message from Carlos Baerga, a former major leaguer and broadcasting the Cleveland Guardians Spanish radio.
Aaron Judge is considered as a player who will miss his farewell to Soto. After being unanimously named AL MVP on the 22nd of last month, Judge said "I didn't talk to Soto at all. I think the best way is to give Soto time to think. Watch him and his family to make the best decision."I met with the owner during my week-long stay in Tampa after the season and talked a lot about my thoughts (to get him). It doesn't matter if you get paid more than me.'
This year, Judge and Sopo combined for 99 home runs and were considered the best duo in the Major League since Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig. It is no exaggeration to say that the third jersey faced a lot of good balls thanks to the second Soto. The Yankees' batting lineup without Soto drops sharply in texture.
If Soto is missed, some predict that the Yankees will contact outfielder Anthony Santander, who played as a central hitter for the Baltimore Orioles in the same East Division as Plan B. Santander is a typical slugger who hit 44 home runs this season.
jhno@sportschosun.com
