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Yankees’ Aaron Judge drops truth bomb on nearly teaming up with Juan Soto on Padres

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Benjamin Adducchio | Last updated 5/26/24

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is thinking about something that could have been. Judge is dropping a major truth bomb that he nearly went to San Diego to play with the Padres two years ago, per USA Today. Judge was then considering a move to team up with Juan Soto.

Judge and Soto would play together, but for a different team. Judge decided to re-sign with the Yankees, and was able to lure Soto to come and play with him this past offseason. Judge is thinking about that possible move to southern California while in town Sunday to play the Padres.

“Oh yeah, I thought about it when I drove in,’’ Judge said, per USA Today. “It was a long time ago. I tried to keep it quiet, but when I walked around the streets, a couple of people got wind of it. It was tough to hide.”

San Diego’s love affair with Aaron Judge

New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Judge says the story starts two years ago, when he was becoming a free agent. Padres owner Peter Seidler called him to discuss a possible contract with the team. Judge says he flew to southern California to meet with the Padres owner, who has since passed away. The Yankees slugger was reportedly offered a $400 million contract to come to the California baseball franchise. The offer was very tempting to Judge.

“But man, I was very impressed by [Seidler]. If we weren’t coming from the Yankees and the situation we have here, you never know,” Judge added. “Just how he treated me and my family. Just a couple of hours meeting him, I was like, ‘This is what it’s all about. This is a true owner. This is a guy who cares about every single person from the cooks to the guy they’re trying to sign.'”

Judge ended up heading back to New York, where he signed a long-term contract with the Big Apple’s American League franchise. The Yankees then were able to lure former Padres outfielder Juan Soto the very next year, to sign with the team.

Padres fans have to be crying in a beer about what could have been. Judge and Soto are demolishing the baseball with their bats night after night this season. The Yankees, behind those two players, are 37-17 on the year and first in the American League East.

The Padres, on the other hand, have not been able to match the same success. San Diego is 27-28 on the season, and looking for offense with Soto no longer in the lineup. The team has also dropped two games so far in the series against the Yankees.

The Yankees and Padres play again on Sunday. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 Eastern.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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