TAMPA – For the second straight year, questions about Juan Soto peppered Aaron Judge’s first media availability of spring training.
Only this time, Soto is an ex-teammate, rather than a new one, after signing a record-setting, 15-year, $765 million contract with the crosstown rival Mets. The Yankees, unable to retain the 26-year-old superstar, finished second with a 16-year, $760 million bid.
Soto’s decision – and earnings – rocked the baseball world in December, especially in New York City. Judge, however, wasn’t all that shocked.
“I wasn’t too surprised by it,” he said Monday. “I think that’s where he wanted to be. I think that’s where it was best for him and his family. He got a pretty nice deal over there, so you can’t say no to that. I’m happy for him. He got a good deal. He’s gonna be in a great spot. It’s gonna be great having him in town. We’re gonna be battling back and forth for quite a few years.”
Judge said he tried to talk with Soto over the offseason, but the latter changed his number. They have since caught up, but there will be no second collaboration between the two after Judge won his second MVP while Soto finished third for the award in 2024.
The two were a pairing for the ages and led the Yankees to the playoffs and World Series. But after losing the Fall Classic in five games and sloppy fashion to the Dodgers, Soto felt the Mets would give him the best chance to win throughout the duration of his lengthy contract.
“That’s his opinion,” Judge said. “He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him.”
Soto spent his only season in the Bronx hitting second in front of Judge. He enjoyed the best year of his career, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBI, a 180 wRC+ and an 8.1 fWAR.
Judge, meanwhile, led all of his peers in home runs (58), RBI (144), walks (133), OBP (.458), slugging (.701), OPS (1.159), wRC+ (218) and fWAR (11.2). He also ranked third in average (.322) while hitting third full-time, something he had not done in the past.
Judge has mostly hit second throughout his career, which is entering its 10th season. However, he wouldn’t mind running it back in the three-hole.
“I’d love to hit third again,” he said. “I’ve told [Aaron Boone] that since the first day, but I’ve always been about wherever you need me. If it’s hitting third, hitting second, hitting last. I’ll be anywhere that helps shape this lineup the way we need to.
“We’ll see what happens, but I really don’t care where I hit.”
Having Judge hit third last season made a lot of sense, as Soto’s left-handed swing allowed Boone to maximize his lineup balance with a right-handed hitter – Gleyber Torres eventually took over the role – leading off. Soto’s elite ability to work counts and get on base also gave Judge more opportunities to see pitches from the on-deck circle and to drive in runs.
This year, however, the Yankees don’t have an obvious leadoff man. Names like Jasson Domínguez (switch-hitter), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (lefty), Cody Bellinger (lefty) and Anthony Volpe (righty) have been thrown around, and the Yankees could rotate leadoff hitters based on matchups.
But for now, Boone doesn’t sound close to making a decision that will also impact where Judge slots in.
“I also know he loves hitting third,” Boone said Sunday. “A lot determines on who’s hitting in that leadoff spot and who’s in that two or three spot.”
Added Judge: “I’m excited about the lineup. I don’t know how it’s all going to work out, who’s gonna bat where and all that, but up and down this lineup we’ve got guys who are gonna have good at-bats.”
Regardless of the order, there are certainly some questions about what the Yankees’ post-Soto lineup is capable of.
Judge noted that the Mets got a “one of a kind” player. The Yankees, meanwhile, got Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt. They also have uncertainty at third base as DJ LeMahieu headlines that competition.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner recently expressed hope that Bellinger and Goldschmidt, two former MVPs, can make up for a “good deal” of Soto’s offense, but that would require them to turn back the clocks. Bellinger’s swing should enjoy Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch, but he’s coming off nothing more than a solid season. Goldschmidt, meanwhile, endured the worst year of his career in 2024 and is 37 years old.
Still Judge is happy with the way the Yankees pivoted on offense after losing Soto.
“You can’t replace a guy like Juan Soto,” he admitted, “but you bring in guys like this who are All-Star, MVP caliber players, we did a pretty good job.”
