By Bryan Hoch
LasMayores.com/MLB
The image seen in the final part of the first base dugout was shocking. There was the Dominican Juan José Soto holding a bat, a cap and a glove in his left hand, while he placed his right hand over his heart. He looked up at the sky, expressing gratitude for what, moments later, the star outfielder would describe as a “really special” year wearing the pinstripes.
And so, Soto left. He walked out the door and entered the mysterious world of free agency. The organization has every intention of ensuring that that moment after Game 5 of the World Series is just the beginning of a long story, and not the conclusion of one. Therefore, the most important members of the Yankees front office traveled to Newport Beach, California, to express their interest to Soto and his agent Scott Boras.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday at the Owners’ Meeting in Manhattan, New York, owner Hal Steinbrenner described the conversation that included “a very frank and reciprocal dialogue” with Soto and Boras as a **“good meeting**.” . Steinbrenner also acknowledged that he understands why the fans want Soto back so desperately – the team wants him too.
Will the mission be successful? Steinbrenner did not want to speculate, responding: “No idea. We will be in the bidding. “I’ll leave it there.”
Steinbrenner also discussed other topics of interest during a group interview that took place in the lobby of Major League Baseball’s offices on Sixth Avenue.
Steinbrenner emphasized that “I think you can never have enough pitching,” indicating that the club would be “digging deeper” into options for the rotation and bullpen. First base, second base and left field are also areas of interest for the Yankees this offseason. Since the World Series ended, the organization has been busy evaluating all options on the free market.
“We have other issues to resolve, either via free agency or in the trade market,” he commented. “We have things to improve. “Just like every team.”
Although Steinbrenner has expressed that he does not believe repeating last year’s roster is sustainable, he said he has no specific number in mind for the 2025 roster, adding that he told general manager Brian Cashman, “Tell your people that [traiga] any possible option. I want to have the possibilities here. “We will continue talking.”
World Series reaction
Steinbrenner confessed that “it still hurts” to think about the Yankees’ loss to the Dodgers in the World Series, which was the club’s first participation in the Fall Classic since 2009.
“It’s interesting, when you’re so close but you don’t make it. “You think about it for a while,” he noted. “Everyone here feels the same way. But we will be back from March and come back, but this time we will complete the work.”
Steinbrenner said he disagrees with criticism that came after the loss, which suggested the Yankees lacked the fundamentals on the bases and defensively.
“Look, we didn’t play a clean World Series. “I think we all know that,” he said. “But those fundamentals got us to the World Series. Our game, for the most part, we saw over the course of the year. That’s why we won the first pennant in 15 years. Without a doubt, in the World Series, they played better than us. Spot”.
The Rays at Steinbrenner Field
Unable to play baseball at Tropicana Field due to hurricane damage, the Rays will be the tenants of the Yankees during the 2025 season by playing their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, with the Yankees receiving US$15 million in the transaction.
Steinbrenner said leasing the stadium was “the right thing to do for their fan base, many of whom are my neighbors, many of whom are friends who live in Tampa.” He then added that some hurdles come with logistics, such as ensuring vendors have enough food and drinks for long stays at home, as well as adding storage space.
The visiting clubhouse will be modified under the responsibility of the Rays, and lights will be added to the adjacent field, where the Tampa Tarpons (Class-A team) will now play during the following season.
Are extensions coming for Boone and Cole?
Steinbrenner said the “first step” of the offseason was to exercise manager Aaron Boone’s contract option for 2025, and that he plans to speak with Cashman soon about a possible extension for the manager. According to Steinbrenner, “There’s no big rush, but I’ll have those conversations about what we should do next.”
As for Gerrit Cole, Steinbrenner mentioned that there were “several factors involved” after Cole exercised his opt-out clause on Nov. 3, and acknowledged that “I wasn’t in a position where I felt comfortable adding a fifth year.” [para extender el contrato de Cole hasta el 2029]…
«…but let me say this: That does not in any way reflect what we think of Gerrit. We want Gerrit to be a Yankee for life. I think he also wants to be a Yankee for life. And adding another year or not adding it should have no meaning in that regard.
© LasMayores.com/MLB
