Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner led a contingent of team executives, including general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone, to pick up the superstar free agent in Southern California late Monday afternoon. He was scheduled to meet with hitter Juan Soto.
The big hope of the Yankees' big men is to convince Soto to come back. The current team has a number of obvious big selling points, including a largely successful 2024 season, but the competition for Soto could be even more intense than previously known.
In addition to the rival Mets, Red Sox and Blue Jays, who are already known to have met with Soto, sources say the world champion Dodgers are also expected to be allowed to meet with Soto, with Soto's schedule unclear. It's filled with a string of strong players, most of whom are big-market suitors. The Post reported last month that the Dodgers were interested in the 26-year-old hitter, as long as Soto responded to that interest.
Los Angeles may not consider itself the favorite to win this Derby due to its West Coast location, but Soto's confidantes are wary of what some assume is a factor in geography. I downplayed it. Soto is thought to be in favor of the social gathering, so he must clearly have some interest.
As MLB's most consistent winner in recent years, the Dodgers' excellent current roster makes them a very attractive landing spot for most free agents. However, the Yankees weren't far behind, and there was at least a perception that the Yankees had some kind of advantage, as Soto seemed to be enjoying his season in the Bronx for the most part. lost in the World Series to the Dodgers.
In an interview after the Yankees' Game 5 loss in the World Series, Soto cited winning as a major factor in his future decisions. He has been to the World Series twice (winning with the Nats in 2019). However, multiple executives from interested teams assume that, as with most free agents, the actual contract will be the biggest consideration. If that's the case, the Yankees aren't necessarily on the easy road either.
The Dodgers have reasonable, even impressive contracts for position superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, but they tend not to win bidding wars (like Corey Seager and Gerrit Cole). See who they played). The ambitious Mets and Blue Jays are seen as threats to offer the highest bid. Mets owner Steve Cohen and Jays owner Edward Rodgers are considered two of the wealthiest owners in baseball, and both seem very motivated here.
In fact, one rival predicted, “It's tough to see Steve Cohen lose the bid.”
Steinbrenner and his baseball associates are also said to have “high praises” for Soto, who will be a top priority this winter. Soto hit 41 home runs, posted an OPS of .989, and his heroic home run helped lead the team to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. in cleveland. And the Yankees, MLB's longtime revenue leader, certainly have a chance. They can also make a compelling case beyond what Soto has experienced.
Officials said Soto was enjoying the Yankees' clubhouse so much that he didn't mind having 2024 AL MVP Aaron Judge behind him at bat. (One of three finalists) The Yankees also have the richest history and could basically offer him a spot in Monument Park if they are attractive to a future Hall of Famer.
There is a perception that Soto's year and a half in San Diego was a geographic imposition on his parents, who, like Soto, live in the Dominican Republic and the Fort Lauderdale area. The Dodgers certainly wonder if they're at a disadvantage because of that. But some people close to Soto say he actually loves life away from the ballpark in San Diego, which is contrary to the widely held belief that Soto much prefers the East Coast. It would go against what you think.
