How Does Aaron Judge Really Feel About Juan Soto’s Potential Deal Outshining His $360M Contract?

Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ captain and reigning AL MVP, isn’t concerned about free agent Juan Soto potentially securing a contract larger than his own nine-year, $360 million deal. For Judge, the focus remains on team success rather than financial comparisons.

“It’s not my money. I really don’t care as long as we get the best players,” Judge said Friday, just a day after being unanimously named AL MVP for the second time. “I’m happy with whatever. That’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.”

Judge’s stellar season saw him lead the league with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs, and 133 walks while hitting. 322. Despite these accomplishments, the Yankees fell short in the World Series, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Soto’s Free Agency Journey

Juan Soto, coming off an impressive season with the Yankees where he batted.288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs, is now a highly sought-after free agent. At just 26 years old, Soto has already met with several teams, including the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, and Red Sox, with plans to meet the Phillies next. Negotiations, however, are not expected to heat up until after Thanksgiving, according to sources.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, alongside other team executives, met with Soto in Southern California earlier this week.

“We had a good meeting. It was a very honest, back-and-forth dialogue,” Steinbrenner said. When asked about retaining Soto, he added, “No idea. We’ll be in the mix. I’ll leave it at that.”

Chemistry and Impact

Soto and Judge were a formidable duo for the Yankees last season, filling the second and third spots in the batting order for a franchise-record 153 games together, surpassing the legendary pairing of Joe Dugan and Babe Ruth in 1923.

“I get to see a lot of pitches with Juan in front of me,” Judge said. “He’s a tough at-bat who wears down pitchers early. If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I’d love that.”

Judge’s Role in Roster Building

Following the Yankees’ World Series loss, Judge spent time in Tampa with Steinbrenner discussing team improvements. Judge values his relationship with Steinbrenner, which has deepened since his own contract negotiations in 2022.

“I think just the more communication you have from top to bottom, it makes everybody better,” Judge said, referencing his discussions about Soto and other potential additions.

Judge also highlighted how teammates like Giancarlo Stanton, who signed a $325 million deal in Miami before joining the Yankees, prioritize team success over personal earnings.

Putting Team First

For Judge, individual accolades like his MVP award are secondary to the collective effort of his team.

“Every single one of my teammates impacted me in a way that put me in this position,” he said. “It’s always going to be a team award in my book.”

Judge’s perspective emphasizes unity and a forward-looking approach as the Yankees aim to bolster their roster. Whether Soto secures a bigger contract or not, the captain’s focus remains firmly on building a championship-caliber team.

Context: MLB’s Largest Contracts

If Soto signs a deal surpassing $360 million, he would join an elite group of players with massive contracts. The list is led by Shohei Ohtani ($700 million), followed by Mike Trout ($426.5 million) and Mookie Betts ($365 million). Judge’s deal currently ranks fourth but could soon be eclipsed, depending on Soto’s negotiations.