Juan Soto keeps Yankees in the dark after 'very honest' meeting as $700M decision looms

After New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner met with Juan Soto and his agent Scott Boras to retain the superstar, he was still in the dark about the ballclub's chances of keeping him.

When asked about the Yankees' chances compared to other MLB teams, Steinbrenner said, "No idea." According to the New York Post , Steinbrenner's meeting with Soto was described as a "very honest" and unpretentious "back-and-forth dialogue" between both parties.

The meetup was said to span a few hours, but the exact details of the conversation were not disclosed.

Steinbrenner handled the constant speculation surrounding Soto during the MLB owners' meetings in New York.

Steinbrenner confirmed the team's financial capability to pursue high-profile players, as Soto's next contract is rumored to exceed $700 million.

The Yankees owner described a "positive" conversation with Soto, focusing on the teams future and potential collaborations.

He also expressed potential future optimism about forging a deeper relationship with Soto, should he remain with the team.

Drawing comparisons to the bonds he has built with stars Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole , Steinbrenner implied that Soto would join their ranks as a critical piece to the Yankees' future .

"If it doesnt work out, its going to hurt a little bit no matter where he goes," he said.

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Since then, he has been one of the most impactful players on the roster and a catalyst to their World Series run .

The 26-year-old offers a rare blend of youth and experience for teams willing to invest, with his best years likely still ahead.

This season, Soto hit .288 with a career-high 41 home runs and 117 RBIs, solidifying his reputation as one of baseballs most complete hitters.

His performance has made him a cornerstone of the Yankees lineup alongside Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

It has also drawn the attention of every team in the league, including the champion Los Angeles Dodgers , rival New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Soto hasn't ruled out the chances of returning to the Yankees but has been adamant about taking advantage of his free agency leverage and hearing out each pitch from interested teams.

He said that each MLB team would have a fair shot at picking his next team and that there would be no official timeline for making the decision.

In 2022, Soto famously turned down a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals that would have made him the highest-paid player in baseball.

The four-time All-Star and World Series champion's bidding war intensifies, with Yankee fans hoping Soto doesn't join the rival Mets .

Steinbrenner noted a positive relationship with Mets owner Steve Cohen while admitting he also has the funds to pry the player away..

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