NEW YORK – Hal Steinbrenner wants his relationship with Juan Soto to be similar to his friendships with Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, and the New York Yankees owner emphasized the team’s commitment to continually improving its roster if the free-agent infielder remains in Bronx.

Steinbrenner said the Yankees’ delegation to Monday’s meeting included team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and senior adviser for baseball operations Omar Minaya.

“I had a good meeting. It was a very honest back-and-forth that lasted several hours,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday.

Asked how confident he was about keeping Soto, Steinbrenner said, “I don’t know. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.”

“We listen to our fans, right? Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York,” Steinbrenner added. “He’s definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series. So, I have ears. I know what’s expected of me.”

The meeting lasted about two hours and took place at a hotel near Newport Beach, Calif., near the office of Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, a person familiar with the session said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those details have not been released.

Soto was acquired from San Diego last December and the Yankees reached the World Series for the first time since 2009.

“We didn’t know each other that well,” Steinbrenner said. “I’ve been told he’s somebody that when he’s in the clubhouse, he’s in a zone like no other, and with players like that I just don’t like to interrupt that process and pull somebody aside, trade in Boone’s office and have conversations. But we talked about it in California and if he comes back next year, I’ve made it clear that the kind of relationship I want is the kind of relationship I have with Gerrit (Cole) and Aaron Judge.”

Soto is also meeting with other teams, and financial talks likely won’t begin until next week. The Yankees entered the postseason with a payroll of $311 million, second only to the Mets at $332 million.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Gleyber Torres, left fielder Alex Verdugo and reliever Clay Holmes also became free agents, reducing the Yankees’ payroll commitments.

“We are in a better starting position than we were a year ago. There’s no doubt about it,” Steinbrenner. “Year after year after year after year, salaries like this year and the luxury taxes they produce are not sustainable, they are not feasible, and that’s the way it is for the vast majority of owners, maybe all owners, year in and year out. It doesn’t mean that in a year I can’t do what I want to do. We have the ability to sign any player we want to sign.”

On Steve Cohen’s Mets competing for Soto

“Of course it’s a concern,” Steinbrenner said. “If it doesn’t work, it’s going to hurt a little bit, no matter where it goes.”

Criticism of defense and base running

“We didn’t play a clean World Series. I think we all know that,” Steinbrenner said of the five-game losing streak to the Los Angeles Dodgers. “But those fundamentals got us to the World Series. Our play for the most part has been solid throughout the year. That’s why we won a pennant for the first time in 15 years, but without a doubt in the World Series they played better than us.”

The loss to the Dodgers stuck in the mind.

“It stung. It still stings,” he said. “It’s exciting when you’re so close and you don’t get there, it stays with you for a while.”

Cole’s contract

After Cole exercised his right to opt out, the Yankees did not waive that right by adding $36 million in salary for 2029. The pitcher then decided to stay, and the sides will continue to talk.

“We want Gerrit to be a Yankee for life. I think he wants to be a Yankee for life,” Steinbrenner said. “And adding another year or not adding another year shouldn’t make sense when it comes down to it.”

Boone’s contract

Boone enters the option year of his contract next season. Steinbrenner said a new deal could be discussed.

“I will have discussions with Cashman, yes, in the very near future, but there’s no big rush for that,” Steinbrenner said.

On Rays play at Steinbrenner Field this season

“It’s a big deal. It’s the right thing to do for their fan base, many of whom are my neighbors and friends,” Steinbrenner said. “Really, if it wasn’t for Tampa, they would have moved from Tampa because there’s no other site in terms of the size, the amount of premium space and the clubhouse that we have, major league ready field, lights ready for the major leagues. All that, plus everything I’ve done for the club.”

Lights will be added to an outfield for the Class A Tampa Tarpons, and Steinbrenner said the Rays will improve the visitors’ clubhouse.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb