After being unanimously crowned American League MVP for the second time, Yankees captain Aaron Judge voiced strong support for the team’s potential pursuit of free-agent slugger Juan Soto, emphasizing that financial considerations should not stand in the way of building the best roster possible. Aaron Judge, who signed a record-setting $360 million contract last year, downplayed any concerns about salary comparisons, stressing his commitment to team success over individual pay scales.

“It ain’t my money. I really don’t care as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can, I’m happy with whatever,” Aaron Judge said on Friday. “That’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.”

Aaron Judge’s $360 million deal remains the fourth-largest in baseball history, trailing Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million agreement with the Dodgers, Mike Trout’s $426.5 million pact with the Angels, and Mookie Betts’ $365 million contract with the Dodgers. Reflecting on evolving market dynamics, Aaron Judge cited teammate Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million deal, once a record, which now ranks ninth.

“That’s never been somethings on my mind who gets paid the most,” he said. “Whatever we can do to get the best players, I’ll take it. That’s what it kind of comes down. All of the guys we have in the clubhouse, Giancarlo Stanton kind of set that example. He signed the first big mega-contract in Miami (13 years, $325 million), but once he came here, he never cared about being the highest-paid guy. He just wanted good players around him. You can ask anyone in the room, they kind of feel the same way.”

The Yankees’ pursuit of Soto takes on added intrigue as the 25-year-old reportedly seeks a deal surpassing $600 million, potentially reshaping the free-agent landscape. Soto’s performance in 2024—his first season in pinstripes—further underscores his value. He posted a .288 batting average, hit 41 home runs, and drove in 109 runs, finishing third in MVP voting behind Aaron Judge and Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr.

Aaron Judge, meanwhile, led the majors with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs, adding 133 walks and a .322 batting average in a season that saw the Yankees return to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Though they fell to the Dodgers, his leadership and production were pivotal in the team’s success.

Drawing on Stanton’s example, Aaron Judge praised the veteran for prioritizing team goals over personal milestones after arriving in New York. Stanton, who signed MLB’s first mega-deal with the Marlins, brought a collaborative mentality to the Yankees—a mindset he said defines the clubhouse culture. “It’s about winning,” Aaron Judge said, “and everyone here is on the same page about that.”

Aaron Judge urges space for Juan Soto before any deal

American League MVP Aaron Judge has kept a respectful distance from Juan Soto since the conclusion of the World Series, recognizing the importance of giving the free-agent slugger the space needed to navigate his decision-making process. While Aaron Judge has refrained from frequent communication, he remains actively engaged in supporting the Yankees’ efforts to land Soto.

Aaron Judge explained that his approach stems from a desire to respect the personal and family considerations Soto must weigh during this pivotal moment in his career. He noted that discussions held during the regular season had already made the Yankees’ stance clear, and he trusts Soto to make the best choice for himself and his loved ones.

“The best thing is to really give those guys space,” the Yankees captain said. “I talked to him all season and he knows how we feel about him and I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family.”

The Yankees have signaled their intent to pursue Soto aggressively, evidenced by a high-profile meeting at a Southern California hotel. The group included owner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone, and senior baseball operations adviser Omar Minaya, underscoring the organization’s commitment to signing the 25-year-old superstar.

Speaking during his MVP conference call, Aaron Judge revealed he recently spoke with Steinbrenner about the team’s offseason priorities. The two discussed Soto’s significance to the Yankees’ goal of returning to the World Series and sustaining success, echoing the team’s dominance from 1998 to 2001 when they appeared in four consecutive Fall Classics.

“We discussed a lot of things from Juan to other guys that are kind of out there than can definitely help this team,” Aaron Judge explained. “I kind of was giving my input on a couple of things. And honestly, it ain’t my money, I really don’t care as long as we get the best players, get the most of what we can, I’m happy with whatever.”

Aaron Judge also shared his insights on other potential roster upgrades during the conversation, emphasizing that his primary concern is strengthening the team rather than the financial implications of new acquisitions. “It’s not about contracts or numbers,” Aaron Judge said. “It’s about building the best team possible to win championships.”

Aaron Judge remains out of the loop on the specifics of Juan Soto’s free agency negotiations, much like Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, who recently admitted uncertainty about Soto’s next destination. However, Aaron Judge emphasized his confidence in the organization’s leadership structure, which fosters regular communication between players and decision-makers.

Aaron Judge wants Soto as part of Yankees

The Yankees captain also highlighted how Soto’s presence in the lineup during the 2024 season elevated his own performance. Despite often being the one providing lineup protection for Soto, Aaron Judge achieved a career-best 144 RBIs, surpassing his previous high of 131 set during his first MVP-winning campaign in 2022. The synergy between the two sluggers underscores the potential impact of reuniting them in pinstripes for future seasons.

Aaron Judge drew parallels between the Yankees’ lineup potential and the star-studded Dodgers, whose batting order boasts three consecutive MVPs: Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Reflecting on his own experience batting behind Juan Soto, Aaron Judge praised Soto’s disciplined plate approach, which consistently wears down pitchers early in games and sets the stage for success further down the lineup. Aaron Judge expressed strong support for building a roster filled with players of Soto’s elite caliber.

“You look at that Dodgers lineup where those first three guys are MVPs,” Aaron Judge explained. “You’re going through three tough at-bats back-to-back-to-back there. I think having a chance having Juan hit in front of me, I get to see a lot of pitches. He’s going to be a tough at-bat in front of me. He’s going to wear down the pitcher right there in the first inning, within the first 15 pitches or so. That was a big impact having a guy like that in front of me. If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I’d love that.”

At just 26, Soto has already proven to be an invaluable asset to the Yankees’ offense. Throughout the 2024 season, Aaron Judge repeatedly highlighted Soto’s impact on the team. Now, during Soto’s free agency, Aaron Judge has taken a step back, allowing his teammate the necessary space to make a thoughtful decision about his future.

Aaron Judge explained his hands-off stance, noting that their in-season discussions had clearly communicated the Yankees’ appreciation for Soto. He emphasized the importance of Soto taking time for personal reflection and consulting with his family as he considers his next steps.

“I haven’t talked to him at all,” the Yankees captain said. “I think the best thing is to give those guys space. I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. I think the most important thing is to let him do his thing with his family. Pray about it. Talk to people. And come to the right decision for him and his family. … We’ll see him down the road.”

Their partnership in the Yankees’ batting order was both productive and historic. The Aaron Judge-Juan Soto duo occupied the second and third spots in the lineup for 153 games, setting a new franchise record. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this surpassed the previous Yankees benchmark of 145 games held by Joe Dugan and Babe Ruth during the 1923 season.