Aaron Judge is making no secret of his desire for the New York Yankees to re-sign Juan Soto.
“If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I’d love that,” the 2024 American League MVP told reporters on Friday.
Judge is also active behind the scenes, making the case for Soto directly to team owner Hal Steinbrenner.
The Captain, the Owner, and the Free Agent
Judge revealed that he met Steinbrenner after their World Series loss last month and discussed the team’s future.
Steinbrenner appears to be responsive. He told the media at the MLB Owners Meetings this week, “I’ve got ears. I know what is expected of me.”
Clearly, it’s not just the fans clamoring for Soto’s return. The team’s captain has also made his preference known.
Bash Brothers Forever?
During the regular season, Judge and Soto combined for 99 home runs — an impressive figure that also uncannily equals the number on the back of the Yankee center fielder’s jersey.
For some, that may suggest the duo is destined to be teammates for the remainder of their careers.
Judge and Soto are also very complementary players, exhibiting extraordinary plate discipline in the regular season, leading the Yankees to the MLB’s top walk rate.
And in the playoffs, Soto came in clutch when Judge fell short, most notably in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
The Importance of Dialogue
Also notable from Friday’s media interaction: Judge said that his communication with Steinbrenner has become more regular since re-signing with the Yankees in 2023 on a blockbuster 9-year, $360 million contract.
Communication could also be key to bringing in Soto. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that Soto also wants a close relationship with the ownership of the team he signs with next — much like the ones he had in San Diego and Washington.
Steinbrenner did not appear to do much to cultivate a relationship with Soto during the regular season. However, in the wake of his first meeting with Soto this offseason, Steinbrenner appears to be trying to make up for lost time.
Judge will certainly have a privileged role on the team given that he’s the captain. But one would guess that’s something Soto can live with — as long as the team is winning and he’s respected and getting paid.
The Number 301
Now, money talks, but it doesn’t grow on trees.
Should the Yankees re-sign Soto, their payroll will surge toward $301 million. Going past that would trigger a 110 percent luxury tax penalty.
In March, Steinbrenner told the New York Post that the team’s payroll is “simply not sustainable for us financially.” He added: “I don’t believe I should have a $300 million payroll to win a championship.”
But after the World Series loss to the Dodgers, there’s a change of tune from Steinbrenner. Sounding more optimistic, he said, “We are in a better starting position than we were a year ago.”
While he reiterated that the current payroll and luxury taxes “are not sustainable and not feasible,” Steinbrenner clarified, “It doesn’t mean that I can’t do what I want to do.”
In an encouraging sign for Yankees fans, Steinbrenner asserted, “We’ve got the ability to sign any player that we would like to sign.”
Can Soto Show Flexibility?
Soto’s first round of talks with MLB teams this offseason did not include financial figures or terms. It remains to be seen in the coming weeks whether Soto will be inclined to show flexibility and defer some of his income to later in what is expected to be a decade-plus-long contract.
If Soto is willing to make an arrangement, that could help the Yankees avoid tens of millions of dollars in luxury tax penalties.
Estimates by Forbes indicate that the Yankees have had a thin operating income since 2021. Before this season began, Forbes assessed $2.1 million in operating income for the Yankees on $679 million in revenue.
It’s unclear whether those numbers hold up after the Yankees’ deep playoff run. But another trip to the World Series, led by Judge and Soto, would add tens of millions of dollars to the team’s ticket revenue.
Toward a Sustainable World Series Run
Strategic salary deferrals could put the Yankees on a more sustainable financial path and give them the ability to make vital free-agent signings for another World Series run — which is a priority for Soto along with getting paid.
For example, Soto could defer $30 million of his 2025 salary and split that over the 2026-28 seasons when the Miami Marlins will cover $10 million of Giancarlo Stanton’s salary annually. DJ LeMahieu’s $15 million also comes off the books in 2027.
And while the Yankees don’t have much minor-league depth, outfielder Jasson Domínguez could add great value to the team during his pre-arbitration years. The 21-year-old, aided by Soto’s mentorship, has the potential to serve as a big bat at low cost.
In that respect, Soto would provide additional value beyond his extraordinary performance in the batter’s box.
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