Aaron Judge gives free agent Juan Soto a chance to make a choice

NEW YORK – Aaron Judge is one of the few people in the world who can understand Juan Soto’s current situation. Two years ago, Judge was the coveted free agent superstar of clubs in all majors. Eventually he decided to return to the New York Yankees. Now it’s Soto’s turn.

In a conference call with reporters Friday after unanimously winning the American League MVP award Thursday night, Judge said he hopes Soto makes the same decision and returns to the Bronx. However, Judge is not actively recruiting his All-Star teammate.

“I haven’t spoken to him at all. I think the best thing is to really give these guys space,” Judge said. “And I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing now is that he does his thing with his family, prays about it, talks to people and makes the right decision for him and his family. So I didn’t talk to him at all.

Soto met Monday in California with Yankees officials that included owner Hal Streinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. Two days later, Steinbrenner called it “a good meeting” with “very honest back-and-forth dialogue.” Soto also faced the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.

While Judge said he has not spoken with Soto, he did disclose that he met with Steinbrenner to discuss Soto and other possible offseason moves.

“I went to Tampa right after the season for about a week and met with him and just discussed a lot of things,” Judge said. “From Juan to other guys out there that I think could definitely help this team. So, you know, I just give my input on a few things.”

Judge teamed with Soto to become one of the most productive duos in recent baseball history. While Judge recorded arguably the best season by a right-handed hitter ever, Soto hit a career-high 41 home runs and a .989 OPS. His fWAR of 8.1 ranked fourth in the majors.

This performance helped the Yankees win 94 games and the American League East title after missing the postseason in 2023. He then excelled in October with a .327 batting average with four home runs and a 1.102 OPS in 14 postseason games. His three-run home run in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series took the Yankees to the World Series. Six days later, the Yankees played Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Soto’s 26th birthday.

It was an upcoming platform year for free agents to dream about. And it pushed Soto’s price tag – already considered historic after his age-25 season – to new heights. With several major teams interested, Soto could land a contract worth close to, if not over, $600 million. He will certainly sign a contract larger than the nine-year, $360 million deal Judge and the Yankees agreed to two years ago. The judge said he didn’t care.

“It’s not my money,” Judge said. “I really don’t care, as long as we get the best players, we get the best we can. I’m doing everything I can. For me it was never about who gets paid the most. It just depends on what we can do. “To get the best players, I accept it.

Losing Soto after one season was a risk the Yankees took when they decided last December to trade five players to the San Diego Padres for Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham to give Judge the ideal complement – a patient, elite Left-handed, the post hits every day. He delivered as promised – and more – by helping the Yankees reach the World Series for the first time in 15 years and becoming a fan favorite, which would make his possible departure before the start of the season a harder blow.

Soto finished second in the Yankees’ order, one spot ahead of Judge. All season long, Judge marveled at Soto’s hitting. His approach. His flair. His relentlessness. On Friday, he again praised Soto for directly helping him register his historic season by consistently getting the pitchers going.

“It was a big impression to have a guy like that in front of you,” Judge said. “If I could have eight Juan Sotos on the roster, I would love that.”

The Yankees would settle for one.