Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made a “good pitch” for megastar free agent Juan Soto, according to a friend, so whether he re-signs Soto or not — and the Soto sweepstakes is wide open among the final five teams (and possibly the sixth ) – The Yankees accomplished what they needed to in Monday’s huddle.
Soto previously formed a very close relationship in previous stops with the owners of the Nationals (Ted Lerner) and Padres (Peter Seidler), and Soto’s friend said he was the same with Steinbrenner.
While that didn’t happen during Soto’s first season in the Bronx, Steinbrenner primarily used longtime Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole as clubhouse contacts, Steinbrenner nicely explained at Soto’s California confab that he “didn’t want to disrupt Juan’s routine,” or words that applied.
While he’s happy with the clubhouse that Hakim leads, Soto is looking for a strong relationship with any owner he works with for the next 15 seasons.
And he said he felt better about Steinbrenner and the Yankees after the meeting, when MLB’s biggest franchise also asserted its superiority over others in terms of revenue, tradition and brand.
GM Brian Cashman filled in the history of player development, and they also mentioned how they even developed the managers of the Mets and Phillies (Carlos Mendoza and Rob Thomson).
The Yankees were smart not to cut down the rival Mets but did not mention how they spearheaded efforts to help deep-pocketed Steve Cohen win the rival team. (That position can eventually come back to bite you in cases like this, as you should know.)
The Yankees believe that Soto, like most free agents, will get their best deal, so the Mets with Cohen may be in a good position.
Steinbrenner publicly painted an accurate picture when he said he had “no idea” how this would turn out. It’s a battle of five teams (six if the Phillies get in; when they’re interested, they don’t have a meeting yet) and some don’t expect the Yankees to be the high bidder when the offers start coming in now.
Here’s a rundown of the pluses and minuses of Soto’s five sure contenders (plus the possibility of Philly):
1. Mets
Excess: Owner Steve Cohen has more money than anyone and he is also motivated. They have $150M off the books and are a growing team.
Minus: They’re missing 60 percent of the rotation (although Cohen and Co. certainly told Soto they want to fill that vacancy as well.) A Yankees-to-Mets move is unusual.
2. Yankees
Excess: They fight every year. Soto likes the clubhouse. They also lead the MLB in revenue.
Minus: While he likes the Bleacher Creature Roll Call, one would think he’d prefer to be quieter. Steinbrenner is “gung ho” over Soto, but they don’t relish a bidding war.
3. Blue Jays
Excess: Owner Edward Rogers has money and motivation. They have Vlad Guerrero Jr. to bat behind him (but he’s a free agent after 2025). The city is big but quieter and quieter.
Minus: Canadian taxes. Rough season 2024.
4. Dodgers
Excess: They have the best roster. His organization is top notch. Guggenheim Partners was able to pay him even after spending $1 billion plus last season. Soto loves San Diego and the West Coast is generally not viewed negatively.
Minus: They don’t often win bidding wars. It was far from his parents in Dominica.
5. Red Sox
Plus: Fenway fits him even better than Yankee Stadium, as they say. Co-owner Tom Werner, manager Alex Cora and Co. were impressed at the meeting.
Minus: While it has won four World Series this century, it has finished three of the last five seasons.
6? Phillies
Excess: Owner John Middleton wants to win and only takes on new investors. Soto likes to beat coaches Kevin Long, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner from his Nats days.
Minus: They can be late. (Did he try to clear the payroll first?)
