Yankees Rumors: Juan Soto free agency buzz puts Hal Steinbrenner's legacy at stake

Not to be dramatic, but the upcoming offseason could truly solidify Hal Steinbrenner's fate among New York Yankees fans. We must say, however, there's confidence he will once again come through, this time for Juan Soto's free agency.

During the offseason after the 2022 campaign, Steinbrenner famously closed the deals for Aaron Judge ($360 million) and Carlos Rodón ($162 million). Brian Cashman was nowhere to be found for either of those deals.

Rewind even further back to the offseason prior to the 2020 campaign, and he greenlit a $324 million expenditure for Gerrit Cole. He dished out $90 million for DJ LeMahieu a year later.

We're not bowing to Steinbrenner by any means, but the proof is there that the man spends when he deems the expenditure of the utmost importance. And there's little doubt he'll treat Soto any differently when the time comes.

But it could get complicated. ESPN insider Jeff Passan, in his journalistic endeavors, reported this week that the Soto sweepstakes will be an exclusive battle between the Yankees and Mets: the most valuable franchise in the sport vs the richest owner in the sport. This is what it's all about.

Will Hal Steinbrenner win Mets vs. Yankees battle for Juan Soto?

With that said, it is a battle Steinbrenner cannot afford to lose. It will very well define his legacy as the organization's top decision maker, especially if teams like the Dodgers, Red Sox and Cubs are "long shots to make a real push." The path is cleared.

Now, there is an exception. If Steve Cohen rolls through with a record-breaking offer that isn't sensible to match and Soto chases the money, it is what it is. In theory, that could happen, but remember, the owners will implore Cohen not to reset the market because they will all get screwed on future free agents.

If this remains a gentlemen's duel, there's no reason Steinbrenner can't come out on top. For as much flak as he and Cashman receive for passing on guys like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and countless starting pitchers that could've saved them from 2016-2019, re-signing Soto would make everybody forget about all previous transgressions.

Why? Because the risk of losing him to a team next door and being forced to watch him dominate for the next 12 years would be unbearable. And there'd be no way for the Yankees to make up for it. Signing Corbin Burnes and Alex Bregman wouldn't have the same feel. Max Fried? Pete Alonso? No way. We're talking about supplementing Aaron Judge's prime with the best possible partner in crime, and we have a full year of evidence to suggest Soto (plus smart ancillary additions) is the answer.

If Hal is sick of hearing the "if George were alive!" groans from the know-nothing fans, then he'll realize this is the deal he needs to make to silence the critics and put himself in the best position possible to be remembered favorably from an historic lens.