Yankees Might Not Meet With Juan Soto: Report

The New York Yankees' courting of Juan Soto arguably began in Dec. 2023.

As last year's Winter Meetings came to a close, the Yankees acquired Soto in a seven-player deal with the San Diego Padres. The trade was a smashing success, as Soto teamed with Aaron Judge to form a potent combination that led New York to the best record in the American League its first World Series appearance since 2009.

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In what amounted to a one-season audition in his free agent walk year, Soto led the American League in runs scored batting ahead of Judge, the probable AL MVP.

Now, Soto is expected to command the most lucrative contract of any free agent this offseason — if not ever — after hitting 41 home runs, driving in 109, and reaching base at a .419 clip in his first season in the Bronx.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees walks during the first inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee... Elsa/Getty Images

Speaking to reporters at baseball's annual GM Meetings Tuesday in San Antonio, Yankees executive Brian Cashman reaffirmed that re-signing Soto is the team's top priority. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, who was among those to report the news, noted that Cashman spoke with Soto's agent Scott Boras on the first day of the meetings Monday.

The Yankees' GM "said Boras was going to get back to him on the type of meeting Juan Soto might want to have with the Yankees this offseason since he already knows the org so well," Kuty wrote on Twitter/X.

"Since (Juan Soto) knows us, we are standing ready to meet with him if he feels necessary to meet with us as he understands the landscape of opportunities that now exist for himself," Cashman said.

It might seem surprising that Soto can be the Yankees' top offseason priority, and that meeting with their front office is a question of "if," not "when." But given that the Yankees have had all season to convince Soto of the merits of playing in The Bronx, Cashman might be best-served saving his in-person meetings for other free agents.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Yankees have already checked in on free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, who's spent his entire professional career with the New York Mets.

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For his part, Soto made it clear after the season that he was open to signing with all 30 major league teams.

"I'm really happy with the city, with the team, how these guys do," soto told reporters at the conclusion of the World Series. "At the end of the day, we're gonna look at every situation, every offer that we'll get and take the decision from there."

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