It appears that Juan Soto, who led the New York Yankees to the World Series during his first season in pinstripes, may also be responsible for the team’s long-term rehabilitation. I hope he will live to witness the outcomes for himself.

On Tuesday, someone became irritated and told Bob Klapisch about the Yankees’ meeting with Soto, even though it took longer than normal for the information to leak (excellent, actually). Since Klapisch’s piece was the first of any kind to report Levine’s attendance at the meeting, it was most likely Randy Levine.

“Make sure you say I was there!” “Probably,” Levine added.

Klapisch’s source leaked some encouraging information about the Yankees’ in-person encounter with the generational slugger after every meeting with every other team went “very well,” and the Yankees inexplicably finished third in Jon Heyman’s Soto power rankings, behind the Mets and Blue Jays.

According to the report, Steinbrenner claimed he intended to make upgrades and promised to compete with Steve Cohen, while Soto identified areas on the Yankees’ squad that needed attention. You may laugh all you want—it’s justified—but after making Aaron Judge a similar promise, Steinbrenner did sign Carlos Rodón, the Yankees’ No. 2 starter in the playoffs. Knowing full well that the relationship might only survive one season, he approved a trade for Soto the next offseason since it wasn’t enough. We’re not clear what counts if such upgrades aren’t significant.

The funniest scenario would be, of course, Soto assessing the Yankees’ shortcomings like a Dodgers bench player, leaving New York perplexed, and then simply bouncing nevertheless.

The funniest scenario would be Juan Soto telling the Yankees what they need to change and then walking away.

What kinds of improvements is Soto seeking? It’s obvious that Jasson Dominguez needs a serious shot, but he’s probably searching for a slugger like Christian Walker to take Anthony Rizzo’s position, a bullpen arm to replace Clay Holmes or Tommy Kahnle, and an extra reliable starter.

Naturally, Soto is just 26 years old, and he still has his whole prime left. He is considering the long term if he wants to commit to your franchise. Not everything needs to be fixed right now. He is in line with the most influential agent in the business and has 2025, 2026, and 2027 free agents in mind. He has the ability to bring about change, and it probably doesn’t end with the roster for next spring.

A downgrade playing right and an outstanding right fielder being shifted to center field caused the Yankees to run out of defensive alignment in the outfield last season. Perhaps there’s a way to address it as well? You know what? No, no, no. Don’t even remember we said that.

Naturally, Soto is just 26 years old, and he still has his whole prime left. He is considering the long term if he wants to commit to your franchise. Not everything needs to be fixed right now. He is in line with the most influential agent in the business and has 2025, 2026, and 2027 free agents in mind. He has the ability to bring about change, and it probably doesn’t end with the roster for next spring.

A downgrade playing right and an outstanding right fielder being shifted to center field caused the Yankees to run out of defensive alignment in the outfield last season. Perhaps there’s a way to address it as well? You know what? No, no, no. Don’t even remember we said that.

Aaron Judge’s remarks only strengthened the Yankees’ case against Juan Soto before his MVP victory.

Juan Soto will likely be enticed by Steve Cohen and the Mets, a franchise with wealth as vast as their World Series drought, if money is the only thing on his mind during his free agency.

Soto might decide to pick Aaron Judge and the Yankees over Francisco Lindor, though, if other factors—such as a team’s history, player development, and current roster highlights—are more important than everything else. Lindor came in second, much like the Mets did in the NLCS, but Judge and the Yankees won the MVP award on Thursday night. The second is commendable. The first is better.

Judge won by a unanimous majority, with Soto coming in third (21 votes, six for Gunnar Henderson, and three for Jose Ramirez) and Bobby Witt Jr. receiving all 30 votes for second place.

Even though the third-place finisher in the race was unable to attend the Zoom presentation, Judge mentioned Soto several times without being asked before being questioned about the privilege of batting behind him and being able to take aim at a pitcher who had gotten weary of Soto’s persistent style. Pointing out that Soto was occupied the basepaths for the majority of his highlights, he began his part by saying, “I wouldn’t be here without him.” When questioned about the highlights of the regular season, he brought up Soto’s historic home run in San Francisco in June. He said that winning the World Series simply made him more determined to win everything.

He obviously had a plan and came with hardware in mind.

The ball is now back on Soto’s court. Is it your choice to reunite with Judge, your Bash Brother and current American League MVP, if Hal Steinbrenner handles the financing or even falls short by $30 million, let’s say? Or does outbidding a man who cannot be outbid actually represent the only option?

Aaron Judge of the Yankees defeats Bobby Witt Jr. to earn the American League MVP award.

It was strange to hear the news from Steinbrenner’s meeting with Soto this week. While Steinbrenner himself paused and thought about each response he gave in the aftermath, some Yankees staff appeared to be ecstatic. The discussion was described as “very honest,” and if Soto hadn’t been interested in hearing the answers, he probably wouldn’t have attended. Even still, fans and Sotos are concerned about the Yankees’ tendency to graduate players to the majors only to watch them stall once they get there. You’d rather hear about radiating delight than difficult questions.

However, Judge is the clear winner in this case, and Soto should be appeased by his leadership and lineup protection. In some ways, everything that was terrific before 2022 has just become better; Judge’s 10.8 bWAR, 223 OPS+, and 58 tattooed bombs add up to his best season in an absurd career.

Having Soto, a well-established 26-year-old star, between him and Jasson Dominguez might perhaps determine how many more seasons the Yankees are able to have in the future because Judge is probably not able to shoulder the weight indefinitely.

But for one night, the decision was obvious. Judge is the best in the American League. Soto, a finalist for MVP, is not far behind. He remains in the American League for the time being, and the Yankees are hoping that Thursday’s incredible performance doesn’t fade too quickly.