Hal Steinbrenner talks Yankees’ Juan Soto summit: ‘I know what’s expected of me’

NEW YORK — Surrounded by reporters in the lobby of MLB’s Midtown offices on Wednesday, Hal Steinbrenner did his best to avoid direct answers about the Yankees’ recent meeting with Juan Soto.

The owner, along with Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone, Randy Levine and Omar Minaya, visited Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, in Southern California on Monday. Soto, an MVP finalist and the most coveted free agent in baseball, had already met with the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Mets, and the right fielder has since received interest from the Dodgers and Phillies after helping the Yankees reach the World Series in 2024.

“It was a very honest back-and-forth dialogue,” Steinbrenner said at MLB’s owners meetings. “I think he learned a lot about our organization spending a year here, obviously, and I think he enjoyed his time here.”

Steinbrenner called it a “good meeting,” which lasted a few hours. He added that Soto asked about the Yankees’ player development system, a facet of the franchise he didn’t get to know after being acquired from the Padres last December.

Steinbrenner also said that if Soto returns, he’d like the two of them to enjoy a close relationship, something the owner has with two of the Yankees’ biggest stars.

“We didn’t get to know each other that well [last season],” Steinbrenner said. “I was told that he is someone that when he’s in the clubhouse, he is in a zone like no other. And with players like that, I just don’t like interrupting that process and pulling somebody aside, dragging him into Boone’s office to have conversations.

“But we did talk about that in California, and should he be back next year, I made it clear that the kind of relationship I would like is the kind of relationship I have with Gerrit [Cole] and with Aaron Judge. So that message was conveyed.”

Beyond that, Steinbrenner didn’t reveal much about the Yankees’ Soto summit.

With the 26-year-old Soto expected to sign for well over half-a-billion dollars, Steinbrenner wouldn’t say if any contract figures were discussed. Steinbrenner also said he had yet to think about a “walk away” number for Soto.

Steinbrenner said the same of the Yankees’ overall payroll but added, “We’ve got the ability to sign any player we want to sign.”

“No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that,” Steinbrenner said when asked how confident he is that the Yanks can retain Soto. “All I know is he’s earned this, and he’s gonna go through the process.”

With one meeting in the books, Steinbrenner isn’t sure of next steps. He hasn’t decided if the Yankees will wait on Soto before pursuing various other needs, such as pitching, first base, second base and left field.

Steinbrenner also said “no idea” when asked if he expected another meeting with Soto, but it would be surprising if there weren’t follow-ups with the Yankees and other suitors.

The Mets have been described as the Yankees’ biggest competition for Soto, as Steve Cohen is baseball’s richest owner. “Of course it’s a concern,” Steinbrenner said of the hedge fund manager’s billions, but he downplayed the idea that losing Soto to the neighboring Mets would come with extra pain.

“My relationship with Steve is good, but any given owner is going to do what any given owner does depending on how important they think the player is to their franchise,” Steinbrenner said, adding that he hasn’t spoken to Cohen about Soto. “If it doesn’t work out, it’s going to hurt a little bit no matter where he goes.”

Some believe that Soto will go to the highest bidder, though the superstar has cited sustained contention as an important part of his decision. Steinbrenner, who wouldn’t discuss the Yankees’ ability to match any offer, said he didn’t have an opinion on that perception.

However, he’s hoping that Soto’s year with the Yankees will factor into his future plans after the All-Star thrived hitting in front of Judge, bonded with fans, fit into the clubhouse, and built close relationships with teammates.

“All I can tell you is I do believe he enjoyed his time here,” Steinbrenner said. “He’s close with Aaron Judge. He’s close with Aaron Boone. So we’ll see, but in the end, he needs to do what’s best for him and his family.

“His experience here was positive. There’s no doubt about that.”

Steinbrenner also knows that the Bronx faithful wants Soto back, no matter the cost.

While he avoided talking about money, the owner did acknowledge that desire.

“We listen to our fans,” Steinbrenner said. “Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York. He’s definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series.

“I’ve got ears. I know what’s expected of me.”