Finally, it’s that time of the month! A fierce weekend is coming to the city that never sleeps, where baseball is a primal scream of allegiance, rivalry, and lingering emotions. It’s time for the Subway Series. Yankee Stadium will be buzzing from May 16th to 18th. The slugger who briefly and brilliantly lit up the Bronx faithful is returning home. But this time, he’ll come in blue and orange—a harsh reminder of what once was and what changed. A wave of nostalgia made Captain Aaron Judge reflect on Jun Soto‘s absence.

Only a few months ago, the thought of Soto in anything other than pinstripes seemed like a nightmare. But it’s MLB; every nightmare and every sweet dream can come at any moment. And for the Yanks, it came when Soto decided to go with the Queens. This isn’t just another subway series; this time, the emotions are running way deeper than they used to be. Both are the top in their divisions, it’s the best vs the best. Will the Bronx Bombers miss Soto? Well, Aaron Judge has a take on it.

Thinking the Yankees won’t miss Soto’s absence would be a lie. There’s no denying that he is an impactful player, and Judge agrees. When asked on the Yes Network, he replied with complete honesty. A classic Judge reply, you could say. “It was definitely a hole guy like Juan Soro gives you 40 Homers, hit close to 300. You know, drive a 100 and guy in it’s tough to replicate that.” He wasn’t avoiding the clear influence Soto had. Soto’s 209 career home runs and .283 average speak for themselves after all.

Judge, though, soon turned around to emphasize the new additions, which together lessened the impact and created a new, equally strong offensive power. He further said, “But we had a chance to add Goldie, we added Bellinger. Seeing what Trent’s been able to do playing every single day has been huge. I think it’s just really all of us relying on each other. If I don’t get the job done, I know Goldie and Billy behind me are gonna do it, or Trent might lead off the game with a home run, which kind of gets everybody to relax a little bit. So it works out.”

This feeling really captures the new Bronx Bomber philosophy. They’re about synergistic strength, not only about individual brilliance. Though he’s surrounded by a court of skilled players who enhance his ability, Judge, with his incredible 15 home runs and .412 average, remains the unquestioned king of the castle. The Yankees captain was quite optimistic for the series and said, “We’re looking forward to the weekend.” And is Soto excited? “I think the Subway Series is just another series where we have to go out there and try to win.” 

Now, this weekend will tell if the Bronx Bombers are actually balanced with a new lineup, or if the void is still there.

The Yankees’ post-Soto era: Building a stronger, deeper team

Many expected a major gap in the Yankees’ lineup when Soto left the Bronx for the Mets. The 2025 season, meanwhile, has shown a different story. The Yankees have not only survived but thrived, building a team that stresses depth, longevity, and calculated acquisitions. But looking at the Kings of October, they have got everything under control, atleast as of now.

The turning point was Aaron Judge‘s return to right field. This change has improved the team’s defensive skills and helped maintain his health. As of May 13, with a .410 batting average, 15 home runs, 40 RBIs, and a 1.279 OPS, he is now leading Major League Baseball in several offensive stats.

Acquired with Soto from the Padres, Trent Grisham has stood out. Grisham, with a.292 batting average, 10 home runs, and a 1.017 OPS in 31 games, is surpassing expectations and offering great value at a fraction of Soto’s contract.

Their calculated winter actions have considerably strengthened the Yankees’ roster. Signed to a one-year, $12.5 million contract, veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is producing a 1.092 OPS and a.323 hitting average. The arrival of ace Max Fried has been game-changing on the mound. Fried has effortlessly filled the gap left by Gerrit Cole‘s absence with a league-leading 1.11 ERA and a 6-0 mark.

The Yankees’ revamped lineup and strengthened pitching staff make them strong contenders as the Subway Series draws near. The exit of a superstar has sparked a more balanced and robust squad ready for ongoing success.