Aaron Judge has made his feelings clear to Hal Steinbrenner: The Captain wants Juan Soto back in The Bronx.
Judge, who won his second AL MVP Award this week, said during a conference call Friday that he met with Steinbrenner in Tampa shortly after the World Series and “discussed a lot of things.”
That included the potential return of Soto, whose free agency has dominated the offseason so far and included a meeting with Steinbrenner and the front office, as well as Aaron Boone, in southern California.
Judge said he had yet to speak with Soto since he hit free agency, preferring to leave him alone.
“I think the best thing is to give those guys space,” Judge said of Soto. “I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. The most important thing is to let him do his thing… and come to the right decision for him and his family.”
Of course, nothing Judge could say to Soto would mean more than the bottom line, as Soto made clear throughout his season with the Yankees and throughout the playoffs, repeating that no team would have an advantage when it came to signing him, as long as they made a good offer and gave him a chance to win.
So for the Yankees to keep Soto in pinstripes, it will cost them… a lot.
With the free-spending Mets and Dodgers and the dangerous Red Sox and Phillies, as well as wild cards like the Blue Jays all interested in Soto, he’ll certainly earn a contract worth more than the $360 million over nine years that Judge signed two offseasons ago.
Asked Friday if he would be OK being surpassed by Soto if he returned to the Yankees, Judge laughed and said of a potential Soto contract, “Honestly, it ain’t my money. I really don’t care. If we get the best players, I’m happy. It’s never been something that’s on my mind, who gets paid the most. Whatever we can do to get the best players, I’ll take it.”
Judge said he’s followed Giancarlo Stanton’s example. Stanton was pleased when Bryce Harper surpassed him as having the most expensive contract in the sport.
“Even though he signed one of the first big, mega contracts back in Miami, once he came here, he didn’t care about being the highest-paid guy,’’ Judge said of Stanton. “He just wanted good players around him. And I think you could ask everybody in the room, they feel the same way.”
Steinbrenner said at the Owners Meetings at MLB headquarters in Midtown on Wednesday the Yankees will “be in the mix” for Soto.
There’s no doubt Soto’s presence in front of Judge in the Yankee lineup had an impact on the now two-time MVP, who had an even better offensive season this past year than he did when he first won the award in 2022, when he set the AL record with 62 homers.
But Judge’s meeting with Steinbrenner in Tampa, where they both live, was about more than just retaining Soto, according to Judge.
“We discussed a lot of things,’’ Judge said. “From Juan, to other guys that are out there that I think could definitely help this team.”
The Yankees have question marks not only in the outfield, but everywhere in the infield other than shortstop, as well as in the rotation and bullpen.
Judge will almost certainly have a voice in at least some of those decisions thanks to his chats with Steinbrenner, who Judge called “very active” in his attempts to improve the team.
“The more communication you have, top to bottom, makes everybody better,’’ Judge said. “It comes with being in the position I’m in and being captain, as well. The fact they’re listening and want to know what we have to say is a pretty cool part of it.”
Judge said the two met throughout the season, as well as in the offseason, when it comes to adding players or coaches.
“He’s always receptive,’’ Judge said. “My first couple years, I didn’t talk to him much. Now I see how much he cares about this organization from top to bottom. It shows why we continue to be in the position we’re in.”
