MLB Executives Evaluate Yankees: Aaron Judge or Juan Soto – Who is More Important in ’24?

This article is compiled from Judge or Soto? Who is more important to Yanks in ’24? MLB officials decide

Abba or Costello? Buzz or Woody? Wayne or Garth? Joey or Chandler?

Hitting duos have always been a part of this generation’s culture, and so has baseball, especially in the Bronx. Like Ruth and Gehrig, Mantle and Maris, and Jeter and Bernie.

After acquiring Juan Soto in the preseason, three-time All-Star and 2022 American League MVP Aaron Judge became the Stripes’ final big pairing.

Judge, who was named captain after re-signing with the Yankees for nine years and $360 million before the 2023 season, is undoubtedly against the new generation of the team, but in the 2024 season, which of Which two sluggers will contribute more to the Yankees?

We asked executives around the league the same question: Who is more important to the Yankees this season, Judge or Soto?

• Judge: 8 votes
• Soto: 6 votes
• Link: 1 vote

The judge won by two votes in the end, with one other executive able to make up his mind in the difficult election.

“Judge, because he represents the Yankees,” said one National League official. “Everyone knows that he will stay there, and while everyone also hopes that Soto will stay, he is not sure yet. I think as long as Judge plays well, that the team’s record will continue. If he does not play well, the team will not improve, but the other 29 teams in the league will want to face this difficult and happy problem.”

“The answer has to be the judge, right,” said another National League executive. a gap that is difficult to make up.

Judge had a slow start to the season, hitting just .189/.337/.378 with three home runs and 11 RBI in the first 20 games. But unlike last year, as soon as he entered the disabled list, the Yankees’ offensive line fell to a freezing point. This year, they were in the top five in the league in several offensive indicators.

In contrast, Soto performed extremely well after coming to the Yankees. He posted a .347/.468/.600 in 20 games, as well as five home runs and 20 RBIs. He also pitched a major league 18 times.

“Soto would take it,” said one National League executive. The ability to put it back is also a big help for him in his contract year.”

Soto’s upcoming free agency has been touted by many, not only as an incentive for him to perform better, but also because this could be his only season in a Yankees uniform.

“I think Soto could be more important. The Yankees spent a lot of money on potential prospects just to make sure he can stay for more than one season or hit the market free.” In the season Soto had a great season, he built a good relationship and he wanted to stay, but that is not common among Boras’ clients.”

Another senior official said it was a “difficult decision” and that in the end Soto was the left-hander at the heart of the victory. Not only does this make the Yankees lineup more balanced, but it also fits the characteristics of Yankee Stadium perfectly.

Many people cannot give a definite answer and struggle back and forth before giving the final answer.

“With the structure of their lineup, Judge could benefit from Soto’s walks/base hits, leading to a successful lineup,” said an American League executive, “I’d say it’s about 55-45, with options for each side.”

No one disputes what the two sluggers did in the strike zone, but two cited Judge’s ability to defend center field as a dividing line between the two.

“Judge has the ability to contribute on both ends of the floor,” said one National League official, “while Soto’s contribution primarily comes from hitting.”

“Judge was working in center field,” said another National League executive, “Although Soto’s strikeout/walk rate was impressive, he (Judge) was the player to send to most of the season.

Judge has been a force to be reckoned with in the Yankees lineup since his big rookie season in 2017, but while the Yankees have reached the ALCS three times during his seven-year career, they have yet to make that World Series. That became the key to selecting an operator for Soto.

“The Yankees have Judge but that’s not enough,” said a senior American League official, “They need Judge to perform normally and Soto to have a great season.”