Mets win? That's just your opinion. Is that enough? Judge announces a rival match against Soto, who changed his phone number

Feb 18, 2025

New York Mets Juan Soto enters Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida on the 18th (Korea time). AP Yonhap News

New York Yankees Aaron Judge smiles while looking somewhere during batting training at Steinbrenner Field, a spring training camp, on the 18th (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News

The two players, who had a reputation as the best 'big shot duo' in major league history last year, are now taking different paths. It is about Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Juan Soto of the New York Mets. Now, we are far away from having to wage a war without concessions for the championship.

Judge refuted the explanation that Soto left the Yankees due to the Mets' chances of winning the championship.

ESPN reported on the 18th (Korea time) 'Aaron Judge was not very surprised that Juan Soto signed with the rival New York Mets, but disagreed with him when it came to a more advantageous team in the championship race'

Soto put the Mets, Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays on the final list during the FA negotiations in December last year, and ruled in favor of the Mets, who made a final offer of $ 765 million for 15 years. Soto demanded personal and family security, home stadium luxury boxes and suites from the Yankees, who finally offered $760 million in 2016, and his mother's away costume fee, but when it was not accepted, he decided to play the Mets.

Aaron Judge (left) and Juan Soto played as the best duo in history for the Yankees last year. AP Yonhap News

However, Soto said at the joining press conference at City Field on December 13 last year, `Other clubs showed their sincerity and comfort to me like the Mets did. On the day of the final decision, we looked into everything. I saw all the possibilities, I saw what the other clubs were trying to do, I saw what they wanted to do in the next 15 years."I thought it was most likely that they would achieve something here in the Mets after all" he said.

In other words, regardless of the number of times during the 15-year contract period, the Mets chose it because they judged that they had the highest chance of winning the World Series than other clubs such as the Yankees and Toronto.

But Judge held an interview in Tampa, Florida, his spring training camp, saying, `That's just Soto's opinion. He can say whatever he wants`I clearly disagree. He is right to go to a good club. It's also good to have soto. We're going to be in fierce competition for years to come."

Aaron Judge smiles during batting training. ImagesYonhap News

Judge expressed his desire to win against Soto because he never contacted him during the FA negotiations. Soto even changed his mobile phone number to block the possibility of not only texting with Yankees players but also calling them. Judge, who praised Soto, who played as his front hitter for one season last year, as `one of a kind, a special player that no one can overcome.'

But Judge " (Soto's transfer)It wasn't that shocking. I think the Mets are where he wants to be, and the best club for him and his family. I made a really nice contract. In other words, it means that you can't talk about it negatively. I'm fine with it," he said.

Last year, the Yankees reached the World Series for the first time in 15 years since 2009, but they knelt down to the Los Angeles Dodgers with one win and four losses and remained in second place. In Game 5, center fielder Judge caught and missed Tommy Edman's ordinary fly, and that was an excuse for the series to end with a 6-7 loss.

Judge said "To go and fail to win is much worse than not going at all. So our players are full of motivation. be ready for"He expressed his determination.

Soto's transfer made it inevitable for the Yankees to change their outfield defensive line. However, the Yankees recruited Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt during the offseason to fill Soto's gap in offense and defense. As a result, Gold Glove award-winning Bellinger is expected to see center field, and Judge is expected to move to right field.

Meanwhile, Judge, who had a daughter last month, "You'll see your child grow up and do what I like. It would be wonderful if I could give a child a special inspiration while playing baseball."