The heat of New York’s crosstown baseball rivalry is already simmering in spring training. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge took exception to former teammate Juan Soto’s eyebrow-raising assessment that the Mets are better positioned for long-term success.
Soto, who inked a staggering 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets this winter, made waves by suggesting his new squad gave him the best shot to win over the next decade and a half. But Judge, the reigning American League MVP, wasn’t having it.
“That’s his opinion. He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him,” Judge told reporters Monday after the Yankees’ first full-squad workout. “He’s going to be in a great spot. It’s going to be great having him in the town. We’re going to be battling back and forth for quite a few years.”
Aaron Judge
Judge, who narrowly missed out on a Triple Crown while batting behind Soto last season, led the Yankees to the World Series before falling to the Dodgers. He said he wasn’t surprised by Soto’s stunning move to the other side of town.
“I wasn’t too surprised by it. I think that’s where he wanted to be,” Judge acknowledged. “He got a pretty nice deal over there. I mean, you can’t say no to that. But I’m happy for you.”
Extra Motivation for #99
On a personal note, the 32-year-old Judge said his newborn daughter Nora Rose has given him added drive as he looks to follow up his historic 2024 campaign.
“Having the chance to have her grow up and watch me do what I love, if there’s any way I can inspire her through playing this game to do something special, that’s that’s going to be pretty cool.”
Aaron Judge on new daughter Nora Rose
Judge, who will turn 33 in April, quipped that he needs to stay at the top of his game to avoid becoming “the old man” in the clubhouse. He believes fatherhood will keep him hungry and humble.
- 2024 Stats: .310 AVG, 64 HR, 142 RBI
- Awards: AL MVP, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove
- Postseason: .344 AVG, 8 HR, 21 RBI
Betting Odds & Power Rankings
The verbal sparring between Soto and Judge is sure to add intrigue to the always spicy Yankees-Mets rivalry. Oddsmakers currently have the stacked Mets as narrow World Series favorites, but the Bronx Bombers aren’t far behind.
| Team | World Series Odds | Power Ranking |
| New York Mets | +375 | #1 |
| New York Yankees | +450 | #3 |
Regardless of what the future holds, both stars seem laser-focused on bringing more hardware to the Big Apple. For fans of the Subway Series, the 2025 season can’t arrive soon enough.
With additional reporting by The Associated Press.
