The New York Yankees have just made their latest play in the game to keep Juan Soto in pinstripes. Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ managing general partner, recently revealed that the team had a ‘good meeting’ with the free-agent outfielder, describing it as an open and “very honest, back-and-forth dialogue.” While Steinbrenner stopped before offering any predictions, he did acknowledge the passionate desire of Yankees fans to see Soto stay in the Bronx. 

The Yankees’ finances are certainly going to be tested in this race. Juan Soto is one of the most wanted players on the market. It surely seems that the crew is doing everything they can to make sure Soto knows how much he’s valued. Hal Steinbrenner made it clear on Wednesday that the Yankees’ pursuit of  Soto is of no passing interest; it’s a priority now. 

Hal Steinbrenner speaks his mind on Juan Soto

Reflecting on the team’s World Series run, Steinbrenner said, “He’s definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series.” When asked about the Yankees’ efforts to keep the outfielder, he noted, “I’ve got ears. I know what’s expected of me.” The sense of urgency was clear when Steinbrenner revealed that the team wouldn’t have traveled all the way to the West Coast if they weren’t serious about bringing Soto back; this squad included Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, GM Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone, and special assistant Omar Minaya.

The group made the trip to Newport Beach to meet with Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, on Monday. Hal Steinbrenner has always said that a $300 million payroll isn’t essential for a World Series contender. With key contracts like Gleyber Torres, Clay Holmes, and Anthony Rizzo coming off the books, the Yankees have the flexibility to go big for Juan Soto.

Now, there’s a realistic path where they could make Juan Soto their highest-paid player, even surpassing Aaron Judge’s $40 million annual salary. As the Yankees focus on securing a star like Soto, they are also evaluating the future of their manager, highlighting an important offseason ahead for the organization.

The Yankees decision on Aaron Boone

Two weeks ago, the Yankees decided to exercise Aaron Boone’s option for the 2024 season, but the big question is whether he’ll receive a contract extension. At the Owners Meetings in New York on Wednesday, Hal Steinbrenner revealed that the team plans to have discussions about extending Boone’s contract shortly. Steinbrenner also confirmed that he would be meeting with general manager Brian Cashman to determine the next steps, leaving the door open for what could be a pivotal decision for the Yankees moving forward.

According to The Athletic, Hal suggested that discussions regarding a potential contract extension for Aaron Boone will likely take place once the Yankees have a clearer picture of their offseason plans. A long-term extension seems logical for Boone; he’s a person who just guided the team to its first World Series appearance in 15 years. Although the Yankees fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic, losing in five games, Boone’s tenure has been quite successful. Under his leadership, the team has reached the postseason in six of his first seven seasons, boasting an impressive 603-429 regular season record.