Hal Steinbrenner isn’t the only decision maker who wants Juan Soto to be a Yankee “for the rest of his career.”
Asked about Steinbrenner’s recent comments about the team’s newest star, general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday that “Hal just said the truth and the obvious.”
“When we traded him, we were certainly hoping we could keep him,” Cashman said of the deal that brought Soto to the Bronx in December, a year before the outfielder became a free agent for the first time. Ta. “We also realize that he will be making his own decisions in any case. We hope that we will be able to grill him hard.”
The Yankees traded five players in exchange for Soto (who is making $31 million in his final year of arbitration) and Trent Grisham.
Soto so far looks like he will provide some much-needed spark to the Yankees’ struggling offensive line that struggled a year ago, while also seamlessly integrating into the clubhouse and New York spotlight.
“He’s a generational talent,” said Cashman, who attended Covenant House’s charity day at its Midtown office. “We expected him to be a great player, and he is a really great player. We are delighted that we made the decision to acquire him and look forward to his success this year and, hopefully, for many years to come.” I’m looking forward to it.”
Steinbrenner, Soto and Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, have said they are willing to discuss a new contract during the season, but Cashman said those negotiations have not yet begun.
“You’ll see that at some point,” Cashman said. “Stay tuned.”
Soto, 25, turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract extension from the Nationals in 2022, and the Padres wanted to keep him in San Diego following a trade from Washington, but both sides are new players. We never came close to a contract.
“We’ll see how everything goes,” Cashman said. “We want to keep him and he’s happy with the situation. We think he enjoys playing here and he loves the fan base and his teammates. I know that.”
Soto and Aaron Judge regularly bat No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
Judge entered Tuesday’s game against Seattle with a .988 OPS, second in the American League, while Soto was fourth in the AL with a .966 OPS.
With the production of the team’s top slugger and a better-than-expected starting rotation without the injured Gerrit Cole, the Yankees returned to first place in the American League East.
Soto’s immediate success has drawn attention not only to Yankees officials and current teammates, but also to former Yankees stars.
“I thought he was going to play like this here,” CC Sabathia said at a BTIG event. “He’s a young guy, but he’s been through everything in Washington and San Diego. I think coming here completed everything for him. I’d like to see him continue to wear the pinstripes. Looks comfortable. He seems right. I hope they accomplish something.”
And Sabathia isn’t surprised that Steinbrenner came out and expressed his desire to keep Soto.
“I think Hal just sees what everyone else sees,” Sabathia said.
