"Aaron Judge doesn't care, he got his money" - 3x all-star believes Juan Soto becoming highest-paid Yankee won't affect team captain
The New York Yankees know they will need to put a bumper offer on the table to secure the services of Juan Soto, one of their best performers this season, as he enters free agency at the end of the season. But if the Bronx Bombers hand him a lucrative new contract, that move shouldn't affect the dynamic in a star-studded locker room, former MLB player Bret Boone said.
Boone, a three-time All-Star who won four Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards and is the brother of Yankees manager Aaron Boone, said he doesn't see a problem arising with Aaron Judge if Soto is paid more than the Yankees' captain.
"I don't think there's any issues at all," Boone said on Wednesday on "Blair and Barker" on the Sportsnet YouTube channel (Timestamp: 36:03). "He's a pro at heart and he doesn't really care. I think he's the perfect successor to Derek Jeter for the Yankees.
"He got his money, and whatever Juan Soto makes I'm sure he will be happy for him. So, I don't see there being any issues."
Juan Soto and Aaron Judge both homer as Yankees win in Chicago; Yankees' No. 99 makes history
The New York Yankees ran riot at the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, winning the final game of the series 10-2. After losing the opening game in one of the upsets of the season, the visitors won the next two.
Aaron Judge homered during the game, his 300th, making him the fastest player to get to the milestone in MLB history. The record is another feather in the cap of Judge, who continues to have an exceptional season. The 32-year-old leads the majors in home runs, with 43, and RBIs, with 110, and is hitting .333, which is second.
New York (72-50) heads to Comerica Stadium to take on the Detroit Tigers on Friday for a three-game series, with its most recent win opening up a one-game lead over fellow American League East challengers, the Baltimore Orioles (71-50).
Fans will be hoping Judge and Soto can keep their sublime play going until the end of the season, as the Bronx Bombers aim to challenge for both the division and the World Series.