Aaron Judge's Free Agency Strategy Has Yankees Fans Worried About Juan Soto's Future
Yesterday at 03:44 PM
The New York Yankees have more pressure on them this offseason than usual. Hal Steinbrenner and the front office will be tasked with retaining Juan Soto in free agency.
Soto is expected to sign a massive contract this winter, especially after finishing the 2024 season with a .288 average, 41 homers and 109 RBI. Earlier this week, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said the "most likely scenario" for Soto is that he signs with the New York Mets. That's because their owner, Steve Cohen, is reportedly willing to spend top dollar on the All-Star slugger.
The Yankees will obviously be a player in the sweepstakes for Soto. However, team captain Aaron Judge might not play a huge role in their recruiting pitch.
Speaking to the media Friday, the two-time MVP revealed that he hasn't spoken to Soto about free agency.
"Aaron Judge said that he hasn't spoken to Juan Soto, giving him space during free agency," Yankees insider Bryan Hoch reported. "Judge said that he has met with Hal Steinbrenner to discuss Soto and other moves the team can make."
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Yankees fans are furious with Judge's laidback approach to free agency.
"Personally, I want my team captain to try and help recruit but whatever," one fan said.
Another fan wrote, "That's a terrible decision by Judge."
"Seems like a really bad and counterproductive strategy but whatever," a third fan tweeted.
Judge was exceptional in the regular season for the Yankees, crushing 58 homers despite getting off to a slow start. Unfortunately, his bat went cold in the playoffs. Soto, on the other hand, thrived in October.
If the Yankees lose Soto to another team, Judge will have a bigger spotlight on him than ever before. That might not be a good thing given his postseason history.
Related: Ken Rosenthal Reveals 'Likely' Winner Of Juan Soto Sweepstakes
