There are numerous reasons why Juan Soto is not a Yankee anymore. Maybe Soto did go for the highest bidder, or he just wanted a change of teams. But since his deal with the Mets, analysts and fans alike have gone to great lengths to understand why he left the Yanks—it wasn’t like the pinstripes didn’t put a deal on the table. The team offered a nearly identical contract but was short of a few add-on advantages that the Mets provided.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith took an interesting take and pointed at one player. Smith wasn’t shy about blaming Aaron Judge for the Yankees’ failure to land Juan Soto. Despite Judge’s sensational regular-season performance, his struggles in the postseason seem to have left a sour taste, not just for fans but also among players like Soto. On Tuesday’s First Take, Smith shared his takeaway from this gigantic deal, claiming, “The other inescapable thing, Shannon—and I take no joy in saying this because I love him—is Aaron Judge,”

Smith further added, “When you come up that small in the postseason, a superstar like Juan Soto notices.” Well, Judge did carry the Yankees during the regular season, no doubt, but what happened in the postseason? He hit just .184 with three home runs, nine RBIs, and eight runs scored in 14 postseason games—marking a serious lack of production under pressure, soon becoming a factor in the Yankees’ inability to advance to the World Series. The crew ultimately lost the finals, handing the trophy to the Dodgers. For Soto, watching a supposed “superstar” go down when it matters most likely raised questions about the Yankees’ ability to deliver in big moments.

On the other hand, highlighting Soto’s trajectory, Smith continued, “Soto certainly didn’t (come up small).” In contrast to Judge’s struggles, Soto’s consistent performance in October showed the difference between them, as Smith added, “When you look at the Dodgers and other teams in Major League Baseball, I have to have faith that when the moment arrives, you’re going to be that dog who’s there with me—not someone who can’t answer the call.”

So that’s the whole issue with the Yankees, isn’t it? The club may have the needed talents, but can you trust them to show up when the team needs it the most? Stephen A.’s words may be hurtful for Yankees fans, but they’re a reality check—the Mets might give Juan Soto what he lacked in the Bronx.

Juan Soto’s deal sets a benchmark for all others

Juan Soto will stay in New York, but it’s not how you think. The Dominican player has just agreed to the biggest contract in the history of sports, worth $765 million for the New York Mets. The 15-year contract has been officially confirmed after Soto completed the medical. In a joint statement by Mets’ owners Steve and Alex Cohen, they noted, “Juan Soto is the generational talent. He is not only bringing staggering historical statistics with him but also a championship pedigree.”

Now, what does the record-breaking contract look like? Firstly, it surpasses the $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani inked with the Los Angeles Dodgers just a year ago. To put things into perspective, the Soto deal now stands as a milestone across all major sports, and it doesn’t stop there. Soto’s latest signing also has a $75 million bonus—that’s one big payday coming the 26-year-old’s way.

Moreover, this deal breaks the expectations across other sporting leagues, too. For instance, in the NBA, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics recently secured a five-year extension worth $314 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in basketball. Meanwhile, in international football, Cristiano Ronaldo’s deal with Al-Nassr is reportedly worth over €200 million per year, while Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs up to $60 million annually.

So, with a deal surpassing all landmarks set to date, Juan Soto is now commanding the contract that makes waves not just in baseball but across the entire sports world. What’s your take on his massive signing with the Mets? Let us know below.