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.