Yankees Rumors: Juan Soto 'Loves' Aaron Judge as NY's Leader amid Mets Contract Buzz

If the New York Yankees end up winning the Juan Soto sweepstakes this offseason, they could have Aaron Judge to thank.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Sunday that Judge is the "Yankees' edge" with "all things being equal" because Soto "loves" his fellow slugger in the lineup and as an overall leader. What's more, Judge doesn't mind if he is making less money than the free agent star in New York.

The desire to continue playing together appears to be mutual between Soto and Judge.

"Having a chance to have Juan hitting in front of me, I get to see a lot of pitches," Judge told reporters earlier this offseason. "He's going to be a tough at-bat in front of me. He's going to wear down the pitcher right there in the first inning, within the first 15 pitches or so. I think that was a big impact, having a guy like that in front of you. If I could have eight Juan Sotos in the lineup with me, I'd love that."

Judge is signed through the 2031 campaign and will make $40 million annually. That will surely be less than Soto if the latter does re-sign with New York, but, as Heyman noted, that doesn't matter to Judge.

"Honestly, it ain't my money," he said. "I really don't care, as long as we get the best players, we get the most that we can. I'm happy with whatever. That's never been something on my mind, about who gets paid the most."

It seems like Soto will be paid the most regardless of where he goes.

Heyman reported on Saturday that the Yankees and New York Mets increased their offers to the $710 million-$730 million range, which would be more than the heavily deferred $700 million deal Shohei Ohtani agreed to with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.

According to Heyman, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Dodgers are the other primary suitors who are still in the running, although "Soto won't necessarily take the exact highest bidder."

With the Yankees reportedly willing to pay him more than Ohtani got last offseason and the presence of someone like Judge to be protection in a lineup that will once again have World Series aspirations, it is difficult to see the Bronx Bombers as anything but favorites as the process unfolds.

That would give New York one of the best building blocks in the entire league at just 26 years old, and opposing pitchers would have to deal with quite the one-two punch for seasons to come.