Aaron Judge giving free agent Juan Soto space to make choice - ESPN

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can relate to Juan Soto's current situation. Two years ago, Judge was the free agent superstar clubs across the majors coveted. Eventually, he chose to return to the New York Yankees. Now it's Soto's turn.

In a conference call with reporters Friday, after unanimously winning the American League MVP award Thursday night, Judge said he hopes Soto makes the same choice and returns to the Bronx. Judge is not, however, actively recruiting his All-Star teammate.

«I haven't talked to him at all. I think the best thing is to really give those guys space,» Judge said. «And I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family. So I haven't talked to him at all.»

Soto met with Yankees officials, a group that included owner Hal Streinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone, in California on Monday. Two days later, Steinbrenner called it «a good meeting» with «very honest back-and-forth dialogue.» Soto has also met with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.

While Judge said he hasn't spoken with Soto, he disclosed that he has met with Steinbrenner to discuss Soto and other possible offseason moves.

«I went down to Tampa for about a week kind of right after the season and met with him and just discussed a lot of things,» Judge said. «From Juan to other guys that are out there that I think could definitely help this team. So, you know, I kind of just give my input on a couple of things.»

Judge partnered with Soto to become one of the most