Aaron Judge responds to Juan Soto’s Yankees exit: ‘I wasn’t surprised’
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Follow UsNew York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has weighed in on Juan Soto’s move to the New York Mets, pushing back against his former teammate’s belief that he has a better chance of winning a World Series in Queens.
Aaron Judge reacts to Juan Soto’s $765M Mets move
Soto and Aaron Judge formed a dynamic duo in the Yankees’ lineup last season, helping propel the team to the World Series before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers. But in the offseason, Soto opted for free agency and landed one of the most lucrative contracts in sports history—signing a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, leaving the Bronx behind.
Returning to Yankees camp for spring training, Judge acknowledged Soto’s massive payday.
“He got a pretty nice deal over there,” Judge said with a smile on Monday. “You can’t say no to that.”
However, the Yankees captain took a more serious tone when addressing Juan Soto’s comment that the Mets give him a better shot at winning a championship.
“That’s his opinion, he can say what he wants,” Judge said. “I definitely disagree with him.”
Despite the rivalry implications, Judge insisted there were no hard feelings.
“I wasn’t too surprised by it. I think that’s where he wanted to be, where it’s best for him and his family,” Judge said. “I’m happy for him. He’s in a great spot, and it’s going to be fun having him in town. We’ll be battling back and forth for quite a few years.”
Soto’s departure leaves a significant gap in the Yankees’ batting order, potentially shifting Judge out of his preferred No. 3 spot in the lineup.
“I’d love to hit third again. I’ve told [manager Aaron Boone] that since the first day,” Judge admitted. “But I’ve always been about doing whatever the team needs. Hitting second, hitting last—I’ll go anywhere that makes this lineup stronger.”
The Yankees enter the new season with a revamped roster. Alongside a full season of Jasson Dominguez, the team brought in Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger to reinforce the offense. On the pitching side, the additions of Max Fried and Devin Williams bolster a rotation and bullpen that needed upgrades.
One lingering concern is Giancarlo Stanton’s health. The Yankees slugger is dealing with persistent pain from tennis elbow, raising doubts about his availability for Opening Day.
The Yankees open the season at home on March 27, hosting the Milwaukee Brewers.
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- Categories: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, News
- Tags: aaron judge, Juan Soto, New York Mets, New York Yankees
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