Steinbrenner: Yanks open to extension talks with 'generational' Soto

After only a handful of months together, the Yankees appear ready and willing to commit long-term to Juan Soto.

Speaking on a YES Network podcast, owner Hal Steinbrenner said he would like to see the 25-year-old slugger remain in pinstripes “for the rest of his career.”

“I don’t think there's any doubt of that,” Steinbrenner said. “His agent, Scott [Boras], doesn't tend to normally do deals in the middle of a season. Neither do I. I think it can be a distraction. But as I said in Spring Training when I met with [the media], this is a unique situation and a very unique player. So, I wouldn't be shocked if there was a conversation or two had possibly during the course of the season.

“I think it's worth doing at some point. I wanted to give Juan time to really settle in, have a conversation with him at some point and make sure that obviously the most important thing is, is this a place he can see himself for a long time?”

Soto is earning $31 million this season, his final year prior to free agency. The Yankees traded five players to the Padres for Soto in December, giving them an opportunity to see how the three-time All-Star fit into the clubhouse and handled the pressure that comes with playing in New York.

In 45 games this season, Soto is hitting .302 with nine home runs, 34 RBIs and a .920 OPS, helping the first-place Yankees become the American League’s first 30-win team.

Following Thursday’s win against the Twins, Soto told reporters his “door has always been open” when it comes to signing an extension prior to free agency.

“They know the phone number and everything,” Soto said. “They know where to call. For me right here, I'm focusing on playing baseball. My thing is, try to help the team win.”

Although Boras has typically taken his players to free agency when they’re this close, a source said talks between the Yankees and Boras are likely to happen at some point. Soto has stressed his desire to win, and given the early-season success the Yankees have had in his first year with the club, the fit appears to be a good one for both sides.

Steinbrenner said a conversation with Boras is “something that may very well happen,” noting his strong relationship with the agent.

“Whether he picks up the phone and calls me or vice versa, that's something that's happened many times in the past and it could certainly happen again,” Steinbrenner said. “But again, I just wanted to, like you say, let's focus on 2024. Most importantly, winning a championship this year.”

Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension offer from the Nationals in 2022, which ultimately led Washington to trade him to the Padres at the ‘22 Trade Deadline. After a season and a half in San Diego, Soto was dealt to the Yankees in December. Many expect him to land a contract worth at least $500 million this offseason, though if Steinbrenner has his way, Soto might not have to wait until he becomes a free agent.

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“We all know he's generational, right?” Steinbrenner said. “He's the complete package. I had no doubts he would perform here under pressure; zero doubts with that. I was curious to see how he’d interact with the fans, how he would interact with the media, and of course how he would interact with the rest of the players, and it's just been great, great and great on those three things. … We've seen the animated side of him as well. He's fun to watch.”