On Wednesday morning, the New York Yankees announced that the franchise had come to terms with their free agent superstar Aaron Judge on a 9-year, $360 million contract. The Yankees were able to lock up the 2022 MVP despite a false report the previous day claiming Judge was San Francisco Giants-bound.
After belting an American League single-season record 62 home runs this past year, it was no secret Judge was going to get a raise from the previous offer of 7 years, $213.5 million.
The Giants entered the offseason claiming they would not be outbid.
Being first isn’t always best. MLB writer Jon Heyman quickly walked back his initial report on Tuesday that said Judge was on his way to San Fran. The Giants responded by revealing they had not yet heard back from Judge.
To add insult to likely temporary image injury, Heyman had also misspelled Judge’s name as “Arson” Judge.
The buzz, nevertheless, continued, with rumors circulating Judge was ready to swap out his pinstripes in exchange for burnt orange. Giants beat reporter Susan Slusser claimed the pulse of this week’s Winter Meetings and amongst the Giants players indicated Judge was joining the ship.
Then it was revealed Judge flew to San Diego, the site of the Winter Meetings, a day after taking in the Thursday Night Football game with Yankee teammates. He landed in San Diego with a decision to make— the Yankees, the Giants or the Padres.
The Padres had a rough go of it in free agency (until signing former Red Sox shortstop Xander Boegarts for 11 years, $380 million late Wednesday), first losing out on Trea Turner after he was offered more money by San Diego, but chose Philadelphia instead. They then offered Judge 10-years, $410 million, but again, Judge had desires to go elsewhere. The Yankees stepped up when it mattered, and it paid off.
It’s believable that Judge’s agent leaked a report Judge was going to go to San Francisco to get the Yankees to surpass the Giants’ offer. The deal now with the Yankees has an AAV of $40 million per year, a record for a position player.
With the completion of this contract negotiation, it is assumed Judge will soon be named the next captain of the Yankees, the first since Derek Jeter. Judge certainly has the demeanor, leadership capabilities and is adored by Yankee fans.
It’s refreshing to see the Yankees wanting to go the extra mile to get the players they need on their team. They clearly want to win and are trying everything they can to reach the pinnacle. It started with bringing back the face of their franchise.
Aaron Judge belongs in pinstripes, and that’s where he’ll (likely) stay for the rest of his career.
