Aaron Judge may have made his feelings clear about Juan Soto’s high-profile departure from the New York Yankees with a conspicuous omission in his end-of-year Instagram post. As 2024 came to a close, the Yankees captain shared a series of photos reflecting on the season, but fans were quick to notice the absence of any images featuring Soto, his former teammate who helped propel the team to the World Series.
A Celebratory Post with a Notable Absence
Judge’s Instagram post, captioned simply “2024 ?? 2025,” included snapshots of key moments and people from the past year. The gallery featured several Yankees stars, including Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, and Alex Verdugo, alongside personal photos with his wife Samantha and their two dogs, Penny and Gus. The couple, who recently announced they are expecting their first child, added a joyful touch to the celebratory post.
However, Soto—who played a crucial role alongside Judge in the Yankees’ playoff run—was conspicuously absent. The omission comes on the heels of Soto’s headline-grabbing offseason move to the New York Mets, where he signed one of the largest contracts in sports history: a 15-year, $765 million deal.
Fan Reactions: Snub or Coincidence?
The omission did not go unnoticed by fans, many of whom speculated that Judge intentionally left Soto out of the post as a subtle snub. Social media comments ranged from lighthearted jabs to full-throated praise for the Yankees captain.
“I love you for not posting Soto,” one fan wrote, while another added, “No Soto in the post is a W. Stanton and Judge only.” Some fans even embraced humor to express their frustration over Soto’s departure. “Never heard of this ‘Soto’ guy,” one user joked, while another chimed in, “Thank God you didn’t post that [snake] Soto.”
Others pointed out the inclusion of Alex Verdugo, a fellow Yankee expected to leave the team this offseason. “Bro included Verdugo over Soto LMFAO,” one commenter wrote, while another quipped, “Judge loved Verdugo more than Soto.”
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Soto’s Departure and Judge’s Approach
Soto’s move to the Mets capped off a dramatic offseason free agency saga. The star outfielder attracted interest from top MLB franchises, including the Dodgers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Mets. Despite the Yankees reportedly offering Soto a $760 million deal to stay, he opted for the Mets, leaving Yankees fans—and perhaps Judge—disappointed.
Throughout the process, Judge appeared to take a reserved approach to Soto’s free agency. The Yankees captain, known for his steady leadership, refrained from aggressively recruiting his teammate, choosing instead to give Soto space to make his decision.
“I think the best thing is to give those guys space,” Judge said in November when asked about Soto’s potential departure. “I talked to him all season. He knows how we feel about him. The most important thing is to let him do his thing… and come to the right decision for him and his family.”
A New Chapter for Both Stars
While Soto’s move to the Mets marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career, Judge remains focused on leading the Yankees into the 2025 season. As team captain, Judge continues to embody the steady, competitive spirit that has made him a fan favorite in the Bronx.
The omission of Soto from Judge’s year-end post may not be a definitive statement, but it adds another layer of intrigue to their dynamic. Whether intentional or coincidental, it’s clear that Soto’s departure has left a mark on Yankees fans—and perhaps on their captain as well.
As the Yankees regroup and the Mets gear up for a new season with Soto in their lineup, fans on both sides will be watching closely for any future interactions between the two stars.
For now, Judge’s Instagram post has provided plenty of fodder for speculation as the baseball world moves into 2025.
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