Yankees’ Aaron Judge Hopes Juan Soto Stays in New York Amid Free Agency Speculation

NEW YORK — In the fast-paced world of Major League Baseball free agency, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees finds himself in familiar territory yet again. Just two years ago, Judge faced his own free agency moment, choosing to return to the Bronx amid a bevy of interest from major league clubs. Now, Juan Soto, his All-Star teammate, is considering his future as a coveted free agent.

During a recent conference call with reporters, following his unanimous selection as the American League Most Valuable Player, Judge expressed his hopes for Soto’s decision. «I haven’t talked to him at all. I think the best thing is to really give those guys space,» Judge mentioned, emphasizing the importance of personal reflection. «I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him.»

Soto’s free agency has sparked meetings with several high-profile teams, including a notable encounter with Yankees officials, which included owner Hal Steinbrenner, General Manager Brian Cashman, and Manager Aaron Boone in California. Steinbrenner described the meeting as «a good meeting» with «very honest back-and-forth dialogue.»

Judge, while not involved directly in recruiting activities, has engaged in discussions with Steinbrenner concerning Soto and other potential offseason moves. «I went down to Tampa for about a week kind of right after the season and met with him,» Judge said regarding his meeting with Steinbrenner.

During the previous season, the duo of Judge and Soto became a force to reckon with in the league, with Soto clubbing 41 home runs and recording a .989 OPS. This offensive firepower played a crucial role in the Yankees’ successful run, netting them 94 victories and an American League East title. Soto’s postseason performance, with a batting average of .327 and four home runs, was instrumental in propelling the Yankees forward, culminating in a dramatic three-run homer in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series that secured a spot in the World Series.

As rumors swirl regarding Soto’s potential new contract, which many speculate could exceed the $600 million mark, Judge remains unperturbed about financial figures. «It ain’t my money,» Judge remarked candidly. «I really don’t care as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can.»

Given Soto’s impressive performance and popularity among fans, retaining him has become a significant talking point for the Yankees. Reflecting on Soto’s impact, Judge noted, «That was a big impact, having a guy like that in front of you. If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I would love that.»