Juan Soto, Yankees Likely to Talk Contract During 2024 MLB Season, per Steinbrenner

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner wants Juan Soto to finish his career with the franchise.

Steinbrenner appeared on the Yankees News & Views podcast and said he anticipates the Yankees engaging Soto's agent, Scott Boras, in contract talks. Boras clients typically explore free agency to extract their maximum possible value on the open market.

Following the Yankees owner's comments, Boras let it be known he is "always happy to talk" to Steinbrenner:

Soto is set to become a free agent after the 2024 season.

The All-Star slugger, who was traded to New York by the San Diego Padres over the winter, has been nothing short of stellar so far in the Bronx. He's hitting .310/.408/.530 with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in while giving the Yankees arguably baseball's best hitting duo in Major League Baseball.

The Yankees have gotten off to a promising 29-15 start to the regular season and hold an 0.5-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles at the top of the AL East. Soto seems to be enjoying his New York experience thus far, saying the environment has been electric.

"Every time there's a big moment, a big-time play, I want to be in it. I want to be there. I don't know — it's just a different adrenaline for me. My body feels different. Everything feels locked in," Soto said, per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. "These crowds, they're unbelievable every day. I just feel great. You just kind of feel different, you know?"

The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli reported Soto and Boras are "after records" when it comes to the slugger's next contract, so it'll take Steinbrenner opening up his wallet wider than it's ever been to get a deal done. That said, based on Soto's performance so far, it may be worth it.