Juan Soto signed a whopping $765 million deal with the New York Mets. It’s been a great payday for Soto, and after that stellar 2024 season, the New York Mets felt he was worth the splurge. However, not many might have anticipated this move. Leaving behind the protection of Aaron Judge in the lineup, a major reason that Soto was able to rack up those career-high home runs, and head elsewhere. Not just anywhere but the New York Mets, the crosstown rivals of the Yankees. Many Bronx fans felt like it was a loud slap.

Given the high stakes, naturally, the blame game started way too quickly. Some blamed Hal Steinbrenner for not being accommodating to Soto, even after knowing his importance. He helped the Yankees reach the World Series after 09’ after all! But Steinbrenner, along with Brian Cashman, wasn’t the only one blamed. The other person who many say is the reason Juan Soto isn’t wearing pinstripes is Aaron Judge! Reason? Yanks’ captain didn’t sway Juan Soto to re-sign.

Was Judge’s hands-off approach an overkill?

Baseball fans found it weird that Aaron Judge wasn’t in contact with Juan Soto during the off-season. He knew that he was an important player, and with five teams interested, the stakes were high. Judge could have pitched in. But Judge wanted to give Soto the independence to make the decision himself, without any pressure. “I think the best thing is to give those guys space. I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. The most important thing is to let him do his thing and come to the right decision for him and his family,” said Aaron Judge.

In an article by SNY’s Andy Martino, he notes how Judge’s leadership style is unique. Sometimes he is vocal, and other times he steps back, letting his players shine. Judge had told him, “Your role adapts……. It’s just about understanding that and adapting to whatever the team needs.” However, in this case when the team’s lineup needs Soto, the main debate is whether Judge overdid his ‘hands-off’ mantra.

Martino mentioned he is convinced Aaron Judge “had a knack for avoiding the types of high-profile rivalries.” But pitching in for the team to Soto might have helped, and there was no risk of starting any rivalry, they were great teammates before. Brandom Nimmo from the New York Mets, for instance, got in touch with Soto and pitched to him. What if that made the difference? Even David Ortiz, a legend, did so for Red Sox. It was already known that Soto would choose somewhere where he felt comfortable and Hal Steinbrenner failed to show warmth, anyway. So much so that Juan Soto asked him the reason during meetings! Judge being the leader could have stepped up, and taken charge.

The reason why Aaron Judge couldn’t talk with Soto

Turns out there is another reason why Aaron Judge probably didn’t get to contact Juan Soto this off-season—he simply couldn’t get a hold of him. According to Bob Nightengale, Soto had changed his number during his free agency because of the number of calls he received. Hence, his former Yankee teammates, along with Aaron Judge, couldn’t get in touch with him. Well, this is another explanation that Judge might have tried but just couldn’t.

Recently, when Juan Soto was asked about the NY Yankees captain, he said nothing but good things. “At the end of the day, we’re still friends, still cool. The relationships we created last year will stay there forever.” Well, the duo was called modern Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth; it would be a bummer to have them go bitter on each other. Soto, meanwhile, in front of Judge, smashed 41 home runs and drove in 109 RBIs. Soto said, “Having a guy like Judge is incredible. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever played with, if not the best.”

Well, Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are entirely different players with different personalities. Some might point fingers at Aaron Judge, but would his word have made the difference when $760 million plus a $60 million bonus couldn’t? Let us know what you think!