Juan Soto either feels incredibly lucky, or the Yankees are lucky to have him on board. One thing is certain: Juan Soto is thriving in New York. The hitter’s comfort was evident despite Friday’s loss to the Pirates.
There remains uncertainty surrounding his future with the Yankees, but recent reports suggest that major moves made by the team since July could make Juan Soto more inclined to accept their offer.
The Yankees push to keep Juan Soto in New York
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Reports of The Athletic indicate that the Yankees continue to make efforts to secure his future with the team. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner held a private meeting with Soto in July as the franchise works to create a stronger bond with its star outfielder before he becomes a free agent. The previously unreported meeting took place in a room near the club’s Yankee Stadium headquarters and was intended to convince Soto that New York is where he belongs.
“It was good to meet the owner, see what he thinks of me and all that,” Juan Soto told The Athletic regarding the meeting.
Steinbrenner was reportedly very interested in learning about Juan Soto’s experience with the Yankees: how he felt being a part of the team and what could be done to improve his time in New York.
These efforts reflect Steinbrenner’s hopes of getting a head start on re-signing Juan Soto, whose contract is expected to be one of the largest in MLB history. During an appearance on a YES Network podcast in May, Steinbrenner stated that he wanted Soto to “remain in stripes for the rest of his career.” Soto, for his part, thanked Steinbrenner for his involvement, noting: “It is always good for an owner to come over at least to say hello, to see how we are doing, what we have in mind. “It’s great to have an owner who really cares about the players.”
Juan Soto, 25, has become a fan favorite during his first year in New York, hitting ahead of Aaron Judge and sparking chants of “Reinstate Soto!” among the Yankee Stadium faithful. This season he has posted career-highs with 41 home runs, 108 RBIs and a .288 batting average, all while playing solid defense in right field. Beyond the statistics, Soto has achieved a personal milestone this year by scoring in all 30 active MLB stadiums. “What better way to enter free agency than with 30 stadiums crossed off my list,” Soto said.
Reports also suggest that, despite the approach of free agency, Juan Soto has really enjoyed his time in New York, with Aaron Judge being a key figure in making him feel at home in Manhattan. Acquired in a successful trade with the San Diego Padres, Juan Soto has integrated perfectly into the Yankees club, sharing moments with Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Oswaldo Cabrera. When the Yankees made the playoffs last week, Soto joyfully celebrated in a champagne-soaked clubhouse with his teammates, reflecting how much he values his time with the Yankees.
Yankees fans have made it clear that they want Juan Soto to stay, and he has acknowledged their chants with smiles and nods. The Yankees hope that these relationships, the bonds created with his teammates and the gestures of Steinbrenner will be enough to convince Soto to sign a long-term contract with the team.
Juan Soto is expected to be one of the most coveted free agents this offseason, and Tim Britton de The Athletic, provides for an agreement worth up to $560 million. However, the experience he has had in New York this season – both on and off the field – could play a decisive role in his future. Reflecting on his time in New York, Soto said: “It’s been great. It was an adjustment when I got here, but shout out to my teammates. They made it very easy for me and made me feel comfortable when I arrived.”
The Yankees hope that this sense of comfort and connection will be enough for Juan Soto to continue wearing stripes, not only during the 2024 season, but for many years to come.
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