Jerry & Willie: Do Yankees need to keep Aaron Judge's salary in mind during Juan Soto talks?
A caller declared to Jerry Recco and Willie Colon that the Yankees can’t afford to pay Juan Soto more than Aaron Judge, especially when Judge is having one of the best offensive seasons the league has ever seen. Furthermore, signing Soto to a 15-year deal would be a disaster waiting to happen when looking at the contracts of Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, and others.
Willie shut that idea down quickly, pointing to the Yankees’ ultimate goal and Soto’s undeniable ability to be a big part in accomplishing that.
“The goal is to win a championship…Judge doesn’t care,” Colon said. “He has been very professional about the praise and attention that Soto has got.
“If the goal is to win a championship, and this man helps you win a championship…pay the man that money.”
Jerry agrees, but also understands that it could look a little odd if Soto is paid significantly more than Judge made just two years ago, even if it doesn’t matter to the Yankee captain.
“It’s a weird thing to have a guy having one of the most historic seasons we’ve ever seen and one of the best players you’ve ever had,” Jerry said. “And to go to him and tell him, ‘We’re gonna pay this guy $15 million more a year.’”
