By Joiner Martínez
Feb 23, 2024, 18:23 PM EST
New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner was present at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with his eyes fixed on the reward of the most significant trade in the franchise’s recent memory.
Steinbrenner has spent the last few days surveying the scene at the spring training complex named after his late father, feeling his 2024 Yankees are on a mission after feeling “embarrassed” by last year’s fourth-place finish in the league. American East.
To overcome the difficult last season, the Yankees brought together Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the same lineup, who should be the great offensive stars of the New York team in 2024.
Steinbrenner commented that he will do everything possible to sign Soto back, regardless of whether the numbers exceed those he gave to Judge himself at the time. “The market is what it is and it is going to cost what it is going to cost,” the New York boss told YES Network.
And he commented: “I spoke with him (Soto) two days ago and he is a young and intelligent boy, who is already a World Series champion. He is a vintage player and we are willing to give him what he asks for although it will not be easy.”
He also referred to all the young players present at the team’s training sessions. “I’m excited. I think these guys really believe they have something to prove and they’re ready to do it. We had a large number of guys throughout the month of January at the Himes complex [Liga Menor] voluntarily exercising, getting fit, improving, more than I remember. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think they are really ready to start.”
Steinbrenner anticipated more moves
Although Steinbrenner said no moves are on the horizon and declined to talk specifically about free agent lefty Blake Snell, he promised that general manager Brian Cashman will continue to look for potential additions to what Steinbrenner believes is already “a championship-caliber club.”
“I don’t think you can have enough pitching, whether it’s bullpen or starting pitching,” Steinbrenner said.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the Yankees have an offer on the table for Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Steinbrenner noted that because New York has already surpassed the maximum luxury tax threshold of $297 million, any addition would be “expensive,” taxed at 110 percent.
“But I’m still willing to consider anything that comes my way,” Steinbrenner said. “We’re not done trying to improve this team.”
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