The Yankees increased their initial offer in recent days for superstar free agent outfielder Juan Soto, potentially improving their position in a sweepstakes involving at least five major teams, people familiar with the situation say .

The reigning Yankees make it clear that they are determined to maintain their top priority, but also understand that the much-publicized derby doesn’t happen until the middle of the innings. The situation remains uncertain and each of the four or more other interested teams still has a chance to win the winter prize.

The Yankees recently held talks with star free agent starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, as well as several other available top players, but remain focused almost exclusively on Soto and have not made any offers to pitchers, which may just be part of the Yankees’ plan B. in the event that Soto goes to the Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Blue Jays or perhaps an unknown mystery team.

The Soto Derby appears to be in the second round of bidding with these four teams (or more) still in play. The 26-year-old Soto is believed to be certain to set the record for contract value, and while no specific numbers have emerged, it is said that there are teams willing to pay upwards of $600 million .

Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way international superstar, holds the current record with his heavily deferred $700 million deal, whose value is pegged at about $450 million because 97 percent of the money is deferred without interest.

Soto is believed to be interested in a 15-year deal that would take him into his 40s. While a short-term deal with a super-high annual salary might make sense since he would still become a free agent again at 20, it’s said that such a deal doesn’t interest him, especially since he’s expected to be optioned. Outs in every long business.

The Yankees told Soto that they would be willing to include opt-outs as part of their package for the 26-year-old superstar, but that likely won’t separate them as multiple teams are expected to honor that request.