'That's his opinion': Judge responds to Soto's Mets World Series claim

Aaron Judge naturally takes issue with Juan Soto's conclusion that the New York Mets have a better chance of winning World Series titles than the Yankees.

Soto left the Yankees as a free agent in December for a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets, turning down the Yankees' $760 million, 16-year offer.

"That's his opinion. He can say what he wants. I definitely disagree with him," the Yankees captain said Monday after his team's first full-squad workout of the year. "He's going to be in a great spot. It's going to be great having him in town. We're going to be battling back and forth for quite a few years."

Last year, Judge hit third behind Soto and called him "one of a kind", and "a special player".

Because Soto changed his phone number, Judge wasn't able to contact him until after the decision.

"I wasn't too surprised by it. I think that's where he wanted to be. I think that's where is best for him and his family," Judge said.

"He got a pretty nice deal over there. I mean, you can't say no to that. But, I'm happy for him."

Judge, who turns 33 on April 26, won his second AL MVP award in three years after leading the major league last season with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks. He hit .322 as the Yankees reached the World Series for the first time since 2009, only to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.

"Getting to the dance and then losing out on it is definitely a lot worse than not even getting in," Judge said. "So, the guys are motivated. The guys are ready to go."

Judge dropped Tommy Edman's routine fly to center in Game 5 of the World Series — his first error of the year — starting a chain of events that saw the Yankees blow a 5-0 lead, before being eliminated in a 7-6 loss. Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly said his team had anticipated Yankees' defensive mistakes.

"We heard that, but there's nothing you can do, besides beating them," Judge said. "They won. They can say whatever they want. So if you don't like it, you have got to play better."

Judge is likely to play primarily in right field following the acquisition of Cody Bellinger in an offseason trade with the Chicago Cubs. Judge was mostly in center last year.

Judge's added motivation

Judge's wife, Samantha Bracksieck, gave birth to the couple's first child, Nora Rose Judge, on Jan 27.

"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 going to be pretty cool," Judge said.

"I'm getting older," he added. "I don't want to be the old man here in a couple of years, so I got to stay on top of my game, and she's definitely going to motivate me, definitely keep me on my toes. It's going to be a fun couple of years, that's for sure."

Meanwhile, rookie Jasson Dominguez arrived to Spring Training to find his locker sandwiched between Judge's and Bellinger's.

"I was kind of surprised," the 22-year-old said.

"But, I think it's a good thing to be in that group and be able to learn from them."

Dominguez struggled during 13 left-field appearances with the Yankees when he returned from Tommy John surgery late last season. Before reporting to major league camp, he had been working on left field defensive routes at the franchise's minor league complex.

"The pressure is there, but I feel like it's a good thing to have," Dominguez said. "It's motivation to get better, to be the player that everyone expects me to be."

A switch-hitter, Dominguez batted .109 right-handed (2 for 19) and .216 left-handed (8 for 37) with the Yankees last season. He homered against left-hander Carlos Rodon in batting practice on Monday.

"He's really young and he's not really experienced," manager Aaron Boone said. "Over time I think he's going to be a real factor from both sides of the plate."

Agencies via Xinhua