New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has expressed uncertainty about the team’s chances of re-signing star outfielder Juan Soto in free agency.
Soto, considered the top free agent on the market, is drawing interest from multiple teams. While Steinbrenner described the Yankees’ meeting with Soto as “good,” with “very honest back-and-forth dialogue,” he admitted he doesn’t know if the team will secure Soto’s return.
When asked about his confidence in re-signing Soto, Steinbrenner replied, “No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.”
Despite the uncertainty, Steinbrenner emphasized that retaining Soto remains a priority for the Yankees. “Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York,” he said. “He played a key role in getting us to the World Series. I know what’s expected of me, and it’s been a priority for us. We wouldn’t have made the trip to the West Coast otherwise.”
In 2024, Soto delivered an impressive season with the Yankees, hitting .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs.
Yankees Owner Says Team is in a Good Spot in Offseason
The Yankees consistently rank among MLB’s top-spending teams, and owner Hal Steinbrenner anticipates that trend will continue in 2025.
Steinbrenner stated that the team is in a strong financial position heading into the offseason, better than it was a year ago.
“We’re starting from a better place than last year, no question,” Steinbrenner said. “That said, sustaining payrolls and the luxury taxes they incur year after year isn’t feasible for most owners, maybe any owner. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make big moves when necessary. We have the ability to sign any player we want.”
According to Spotrac, the Yankees already have over $234 million in projected salaries for 2025, even before making any offseason signings.
Yankees Manager Would ‘Love’ to Have Soto Back
Yankees manager Aaron Boone, whose contract was picked up for the 2025 season, was involved in the team’s meetings with Juan Soto.
Soto played a pivotal role in Boone’s lineup during the 2024 season, and Boone expressed his desire to have the star outfielder return for 2025.
“As I’ve said all year, what Juan did on the field was incredible. He had a phenomenal season,” Boone said. “But just as impressive was getting to know him as a person. Managing him was a privilege. Of course, I want him back in pinstripes. But I also understand there will be a lot of competition for him, and it’s hard to predict how things will unfold.”
Boone added that he planned to have an open conversation with Soto, discussing his performance and how he envisioned utilizing him if Soto stayed with the Yankees.
Boone, who has been the Yankees’ manager since 2018, has led the team to a 603-429 record over his tenure.
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