Report: Juan Soto’s lack of talks with Yankees after Mets exit in MLB FA explained | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge did not speak to Juan Soto this offseason because he did not have Soto’s new phone number, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Soto, who signed a record contract with the New York Mets in free agency, said Thursday that he had not spoken to any of his former teammates since Game 5 of the World Series.

Nightengale reported that Soto had changed his number during free agency and is now “reaching out to former Yankee teammates.”

The New York Post‘s Mike Puma reported Thursday that Nimmo “obtained Soto’s phone number several weeks ago and texted him” with a plea to join the Mets.

In contrast, Judge has previously said he was not involved in the Yankees’ efforts to lobby for Soto’s return to the Bronx.

Judge told reporters prior to Game 1 of the World Series that he had not discussed free agency with Soto, and later said in November that he and his former teammate had not spoken since the end of the postseason.

That apparently hadn’t changed when Soto signed a $765 million, 15-year deal to join the Mets. The Yankees fell short on their $760 million, 16-year offer and will now have to look elsewhere to rebuild their outfield.