New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who on Thursday was named the unanimous American League MVP, told reporters during a Friday conference call that he has been giving Juan Soto, the top free agent on the market whom the Yankees hope to sign to a long-term contract, plenty of space.

Aaron Judge said he hasn’t spoken to Juan Soto since the New York Yankees lost in the World Series in late October, but he’s come up in conversation with owner Hal Steinbrenner. “He knows how we feel about him,” Judge said.

AL MVP Aaron Judge is the Yankees' captain, but he likely won't be their highest-paid player if Juan Soto re-signs in the Bronx — and he's OK with that.