ESPN: Aaron Judge slammed by the former Met player for his attitude towards fellow Yankees’ star.
As the New York Yankees look to re-sign Juan Soto, Aaron Judge has been pushed to stand up this summer.
After spending the previous season with the Yankees, who lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Soto is now a free agent. Up to five major league teams are reportedly interested in signing him.
In an attempt to ward off the competition and entice the left-hander back to the Bronx, the Yankees are rumored to have increased their offer this week.
However, star slugger Judge has shown that he wasn’t using the charm offense this summer and is playing a very passive part in his team’s endeavors.
Regarding Soto, Judge stated last week that “I think the best thing is to give those guys space.” I spoke with him throughout the season. He is aware of our feelings for him. The most crucial thing is to let him do what he wants to do and make the best choice for himself and his family.
Judge, however, who signed a nine-year, $360-million deal in December 2022 after his AL record-breaking season and was elected the Yankees’ 16th captain, came under fire for his strategy.
Trevor May, a former MLB reliever who spent 2021–2022 pitching for the Yankees’ cross-town rivals the Mets, questioned the AL MVP’s strategies.
On his podcast, Foul Territory, May stated, “But sometimes you just have to flex that muscle a bit because you’re Aaron Judge, man, if you want him.”
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you acquire him or not; you are the LeBron James of the game right now. Just be him. His insistence on not speaking to him is intriguing and rather strange, since it appeared a bit out of place given the circumstances.
Following the Yankees’ 94-68 record and their first World Series appearance since 2009, Judge has stated that he wants Soto to return to Pinstripes for the upcoming season.
This offseason, the 6-foot-7 slugger also visited with owner Hal Steinbrenner in Tampa to emphasize how crucial it is to sign his fellow outfield player.
May, meanwhile, continued to demand that Judge should pursue the Dominican star more vigorously.
“What do we know about Aaron Judge?” said May, who played for the Twins for much of his career. He doesn’t have the most assertive or confrontational demeanor. The man who says, “I’m going to put myself in this situation.” He doesn’t appear to like or feel comfortable doing it.
I am aware that the captain tag entails it. To me, it feels just like that. I don’t think he would lie, therefore he’s either lying through his teeth. He isn’t the type of man who would phone him and then openly claim, “I didn’t call him.” He would do a little more dancing around it.
Along with the Bronx Bombers, the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets all said to be interested in Soto.
“They losing this World Series and coming this close makes Juan Soto — like you have to, you have no choice but to go get him,” May said, referring to the Yankees. “That was the worst thing that could have happened for this negotiation.”
And even if they can assemble a strong squad and add additional components to make them a division champion and return, it will seem like the sky is falling if you don’t.
