Aaron Judge is the Yankees' captain, but he likely won't be their highest-paid player if free agent outfielder Juan Soto re-signs in the Bronx.
Judge is OK with that.
More news: Yankees Broadcaster Michael Kay Explains 'Where Fans are Dead Wrong' About Juan Soto
One day after winning the American League MVP award, Judge told reporters on a conference call Friday that he doesn't need to be the Yankees' highest-paid player after signing a nine-year, $360 million contract in Dec. 2022. He is owed $40 million every season from now until 2031.
"Honestly, it ain't my money," Judge said, as relayed by Newsday's David Lennon on Twitter/X. "I really don't care. As long as we get the best players."
Aaron Judge said he hasn't spoken to Juan Soto this offseason, but has talked with Hal Steinbrenner about improving #Yankees this winter.
As for Soto being paid more than him, Judge replied, "Honestly, it ain't my money. I really don't care. As long as we get the best players."
The Yankees are one of five interested teams that have met with Soto in person in Southern California this month, along with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Philadelphia Phillies are also reportedly interested in Soto as well.
More news: Juan Soto Seeking More Than Money in Free Agent Discussions: Report
It is considered all but a foregone conclusion that Soto is seeking — and will receive — the most money ever afforded a baseball player in free agency. At 26, Soto is younger than most free agents. He's made four All-Star teams, won a World Series ring, and hit 201 home runs across seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees.
"No idea," Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner recently said when asked how confident he is the Yankees will re-sign Soto, as relayed by Tim Healey of Newsday. "We'll be in the mix."
Hal Steinbrenner on the Yankees’ meeting with Juan Soto: “We had a good meeting. It was very honest.”
He said it lasted a couple of hours.
How confident is Hal that Yanks will sign Soto?
“No idea,” he said. “We’ll be in the mix.”
Both Soto and Judge were instrumental in leading the Yankees to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Although they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a five-game World Series, it's hard to imagine the Yankees getting nearly as far without the two best hitters in their lineup.
More news: Yankees' Aaron Judge Wins American League MVP Award
Judge, 32, hit .322 with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs in the regular season, helping the Yankees win an AL-leading 94 games. He was a unanimous selection for the MVP award, which he also won in 2022.
Soto hit 41 homers, scored an AL-leading 128 runs, drove in 109, and reached base at a .419 clip batting ahead of Judge in his first season in the Bronx. Soto finished third in MVP voting behind only Judge and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
English (US) ·