Oct 30, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts with outfielder Aaron Judge (99) after Judge dropped a fly ball during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

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Despite Historic Night, Aaron Judge Admits ‘Nobody Can Replace’ Juan Soto

Aaron Judge went back-to-back-to-back!

Few duos in baseball history have posed the kind of nightmare matchup that Aaron Judge and Juan Soto did at the top of the Yankees’ lineup in 2024. Pitchers couldn’t afford to pitch around one without having to deal with the other, creating a relentless problem for opposing teams. But with Soto now wearing a Mets uniform, the Yankees are adjusting to life without him, and, at least for one night, they didn’t seem to miss him at all.

Following a close, drama-filled Opening Day win over the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Aaron Boone made some lineup adjustments for Game 2 against lefty Nestor Cortes. The changes raised eyebrows at first, but any skepticism was quickly erased as the Yankees exploded for a 20-9 win, launching a franchise-record nine home runs. Judge led the charge, going 4-for-6 with three homers, eight RBI, and a double in a vintage performance that reminded everyone why he’s the face of the team.

AARON JUDGE.
THREE HOME RUNS.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?! pic.twitter.com/XsvEP6dNvO
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2025

The offensive outburst was historic on multiple levels. The Yankees became the first team in MLB history to have their first six hitters all go deep in the same game. They also made history by launching three home runs on the first three pitches of the game, courtesy of Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Judge.

Despite the fireworks, Judge made it clear that no single game can erase the loss of a generational talent like Soto.

ALSO READ: Juan Soto Admits Yankees Were Early Frontrunners Before Choosing Mets

“Nobody can replace Soto,” Judge said, via SNY. “He’s one of a kind, but I think with the guys we added, we were able to fill some holes that we probably had last year.”

"Nobody can replace Soto. He's one of a kind, but I think with the guys we added, we were able to fill some holes that we probably had last year"

Aaron Judge was asked about how the Yankees look this season after Juan Soto went to the Mets: pic.twitter.com/qihyxKamti
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) March 29, 2025

Judge, Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton powered the Yankees to a World Series appearance last October, though they ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. In the offseason, Soto departed for the Mets on a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract. To compensate for the loss, the Yankees acquired former MVPs Bellinger and Goldschmidt while also promoting top prospect Jasson Dominguez to a full-time major league role.

ALSO READ: “Choke Artist” – Yankees Fans Celebrate as Juan Soto’s Strikeout Seal Mets’ Loss in MLB Opening Day

If Saturday’s performance was any indication, the new-look Yankees offense might still be among the league’s most dangerous. But even with all the firepower, Judge knows that replacing Soto isn’t about a single player, it’s about a collective effort. And if their 20-run explosion was any sign, the Yankees seem well-equipped to move forward, even if Soto’s absence will always be felt.

Aaron Judge

Juan Soto

Mets

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.