and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner had a one-on-one meeting in July, . The four-time All-Star confirmed the conversation, telling Kuty that it was good to get to know the owner, get to see what he Willie Cauley-Stein Jersey s thinking about me and everything. Soto didnt provide any specifics. However, Kuty reports that the general focus of the conversation was on Sotos experience with the team. Its always good to see (an owner) coming over at least to say hi, the outfielder told The Athletic, see how were doing, what we have in mind, this and that. Its great to have an owner that really cares for players. Steinbrenner hasnt been shy about his desire to keep the superstar in pinstripes. The owner that he was open to in-season extension talks. Soto closed that down a few weeks later, reiterating in June that he and agent Scott Boras would to worry about contract terms. Considering Soto has reportedly declined a number of extension offers throughout his career, there was never much doubt that hed test free agency. [Related: ] The Yankees are going to face a push from the cro stown Mets and should have some amount of competition for Sotos services from every high-payroll franchise. One meeting between Soto and Steinbrenner isnt going to change the odds of keeping him around, but its presumably a bit of a preview of the months to come. Soto has established a new career high with 41 homers during his first season in the Bronx. He leads the American League with 128 runs scored and is hitting .288/.418/.572 acro s 704 trips to the plate. By measure of wRC+, Soto has been 80 percentage points better than a league average batter. Thats his best mark in a 162-game schedule. Robert Woodard II Jersey