NEW YORK: Juan Soto's arrival is a sign the New York Yankees want stars to help them rebound from their worst season in three decades — a move right out of late owner George Steinbrenner's playbook.

'We certainly want to try under the Steinbrenner leadership to make this the mecca of baseball,' general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday (Friday in Manila), a day after acquiring the three-time All-Star outfielder from San Diego in a seven-player trade. 'George Steinbrenner always felt that the best players in the world should play here for the New York Yankees.