Aaron Judge Hopes Juan Soto Stays in the Bronx, But He’s Giving Him Space
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge knows exactly what it feels like to be the most coveted free agent in baseball. Just two years ago, he was in Juan Soto’s shoes, weighing offers from teams across the league before ultimately deciding to stay with the New York Yankees. Now, as Soto navigates his own free agency, Judge is hoping his All-Star teammate makes the same decision to remain in pinstripes. But don’t expect Judge to be in Soto’s ear about it.
“I haven’t talked to him at all. I think the best thing is to really give those guys space,” Judge said during a conference call with reporters on Friday, just one day after he was unanimously named the American League MVP for the second time in his career. “I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people, and come to the right decision for him and his family. So I haven’t talked to him at all.”
Soto, who has been meeting with several teams, including the Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays, recently had a sit-down with Yankees officials in California. The group included owner Hal Steinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman, and manager Aaron Boone. Steinbrenner later described the meeting as “a good meeting” with “very honest back-and-forth dialogue.”
While Judge hasn’t spoken directly with Soto about his decision, he has been involved in discussions with Steinbrenner about the team’s offseason plans, including Soto’s potential return. “I went down to Tampa for about a week kind of right after the season and met with him and just discussed a lot of things,” Judge revealed. “From Juan to other guys that are out there that I think could definitely help this team. So, you know, I kind of just give my input on a couple of things.”
The Dynamic Duo That Dominated 2024
Judge and Soto formed one of the most electrifying duos in baseball last season. Judge delivered what many consider the greatest season ever by a right-handed hitter, while Soto smashed a career-high 41 home runs and posted a .989 OPS. His 8.1 fWAR ranked fourth in the majors, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite players.
Their combined firepower helped the Yankees win 94 games and claim the American League East title, a remarkable turnaround after missing the postseason in 2023. Soto’s postseason heroics were just as impressive. He batted .327 with four home runs and a 1.102 OPS in 14 playoff games, including a clutch three-run homer in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series that sent the Yankees to their first World Series in 15 years. Fittingly, Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers fell on Soto’s 26th birthday.
What’s Next for Soto?
Soto’s free agency has been the talk of the offseason, and for good reason. Coming off his age-25 season, he’s poised to sign a contract that could shatter records. With several big-market teams in the mix, Soto’s deal could approach or even surpass $600 million, far exceeding the nine-year, $360 million contract Judge signed with the Yankees two years ago. But for Judge, the money isn’t the focus.
“It ain’t my money,” Judge said with a laugh. “I really don’t care as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can. I’m with whatever. That’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most. It’s just whatever we can do to get the best players, I’ll take it.”
The Risk of Losing Soto
The Yankees knew they were taking a gamble when they traded five players to the San Diego Padres last December to acquire Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham. Soto was the perfect complement to Judge—a patient, left-handed hitter with elite skills who played every day. He lived up to the hype and then some, becoming a fan favorite and helping the Yankees return to the World Series. Losing him after just one season would be a tough pill to swallow for the team and its fans.
Throughout the season, Judge couldn’t help but marvel at Soto’s approach at the plate. “That was a big impact, having a guy like that in front of you,” Judge said. “If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I would love that.”
For now, the Yankees would settle for just one. Whether Soto decides to stay in the Bronx or take his talents elsewhere remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his decision will shape the future of the Yankees and the league for years to come.
Originally Written by: Jeff Passan
