“It ain’t my money” Aaron Judge UNAFFECTED to have Juan Soto surpass captain’s AAV in free agency

Aaron Judge says he has not spoken with Juan Soto at all since free agency began to give him space to think about.

“It ain’t my money” Aaron Judge UNAFFECTED to have Juan Soto surpass captain’s AAV in free agency

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto [Image Credit: The NY Times]

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge claimed in a recent media appearance that he has not kept in touch with Juan Soto since the free agency war began. Right after the World Series ended, Soto became the most sought-after outfielder in the MLB market.

His service price has increased since then, with amounts surpassing Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract. Even if Soto doesn’t challenge the $700 million directly, he is still expected to surpass him in AAV with at least $50 million or so.

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Regardless of which team he ends up joining, he’ll get a good deal out of it. The current frontrunners to sign him are – the NY Mets, NY Yankees, LA Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays. 

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If he re-signs with the New York Yankees, Juan Soto will cross captain Aaron Judge’s AAV figure of $40 million that runs through 2031. However, Judge is not worried about Soto being the highest-paid member of the team as long as he gets a good teammate.

Honestly, 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. That’s never been something on my mind, about who gets paid the most…

Aaron Judge as per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com

Judge credited Giancarlo Stanton for this way of thinking as he was the “guy that set that example”. Since signing the mega-contract with Miami and coming to the Bronx, Stanton has never cared for money as long as he has really good teammates.

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Especially after the 2024 World Series loss, the Yankees are looking forward to challenging the crown again. They’ll need a good set of players on the field to do that and Soto is a must. He was one of the factors the team even reached the WS in 15 years.

Aaron Judge denies speaking with Juan Soto since free agency began

NY Yankees captain Aaron Judge has denied speaking or keeping in touch with Juan Soto after free agency began. He said he kept in contact all throughout the season and has built a special bond with him. However, Judge wants to give Soto the privacy he needs as the outfielder ventures out in the free market.

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto [Image Credit: Yankees News]

Although Judge believes communication is the best, he feels giving some alone time will help him sort out his priorities, and he needs to select a team and move forward. The Yankees have already met with Soto for a meeting on Monday, and the impression seemed to be “good.”

I think the best thing is to really give those guys space. I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. I think the most important thing is now letting him do his thing with his family — pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family. So I haven’t talked to him at all.

Aaron Judge as per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, GM Brian Cashman, and manager Aaron Boone met with Soto and his agent Scott Boras in California. Their meeting went well with both sides feeling positive and interested. However, as per reports, Soto has been “impressed” by meetings from various teams.

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Which team he ultimately chooses to sign with is still a mystery. The LA Dodgers whom many thought wouldn’t contend for Soto have also shown significant interest in the outfielder. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel weighed on stating Soto may sign a 13-year $611 million contract by the end of the free agency.