Juan Soto’s decision to take his talents to the Mets didn’t just shake up the balance of power in New York—it put Aaron Judge squarely in the hot seat.
For weeks, fans and analysts dissected every angle, every rumor, and every whisper of what might have gone wrong. Was it Hal Steinbrenner’s reluctance to open the checkbook? Was it Soto’s personal preference?
Or, as some have suggested, was there something missing in Judge’s leadership that failed to keep the young superstar in pinstripes?
Did Aaron Judge Do Enough to Keep Soto?
Let’s be real: Aaron Judge isn’t just a star. He’s the guy in the Bronx. The face of the Yankees. When he talks, people listen. So when Soto left, naturally, the question arose: Did Judge do enough to convince him to stay?
The reports of “miscommunication” during free agency didn’t help matters. For a fanbase desperate to see Soto in Yankee pinstripes for the long haul, the idea that their captain might not have been involved enough in keeping him around was not great.
Judge himself has now come out to clear the air, and his explanation is a mix of reassurance and “Hey, I tried.” In a conversation with Bob Klapisch of NJ.com, Judge revealed that he and Soto actually have a strong relationship.
They even FaceTimed recently, where Judge wished Soto well and told him he’d have no problem fitting in with his new team. So much for any bad blood, right?
The Free Agency Disconnect
Judge also insisted that throughout the season, he was doing his part to make Soto feel like a Yankee. He often reminded him of the fans’ love, the importance of his role, and how special it would be to stay.
The catch? When free agency rolled around, Soto had changed his phone number. Judge admitted he didn’t push too hard at that point, not wanting to be “another nuisance.”
And there it is—the moment that’s got people wondering. Should Judge have been more persistent? Should he have gone full “recruiter mode” like we’ve seen other stars do in free agency battles?
The Bigger Picture in Free Agency
Free agency is unpredictable, and players make decisions for all sorts of reasons. Could Judge have done more? Maybe.
But let’s not act like the Yankees didn’t want Soto. Plenty of moving parts in play were money, team strategy, and personal preferences.
It’s easy to blame one person, but Soto made the call. It’s up to the Yankees (and Judge) to move forward without him.
