Judge Aaronbetting on yourself has paid off in a big way.
The judge agreed to return to the trial New York Yankees on a nine-year, $360 million deal, sources confirmed to ESPN early Wednesday morning, giving slugger nearly $150 million more than what the team had offered him in the season. spring.
He decided to stay with the Yankees after flirting with San Francisco Giantsthe team is located about 100 miles from where Judge grew up in California, and Padres San Diegowho have made it clear that they are ready to make big moves this winter.
The looming specter of Judge leaving San Francisco or San Diego gave him the last bit of leverage he needed to land the highest average annual salary ($40 million) for any position player. any position in history, pass Mike the salmon$36 million per year. But Judge has done most of the work in improving his bargaining position with his incredible 2022 season.
The Yankees offered a seven-year, $213.5 million deal at the end of spring training, and when Judge turned down that offer without objection, general manager Brian Cashman revealed the word. team proposal in a press conference. Cashman’s rationale for that decision was that the offer would be reported anyway and transparency was desired.
Judge feels differently, telling Time Magazine in an interview published Tuesday that he feels the Yankees’ disclosure of the offer is intended to turn fans and the media against him as he advances. closer to freelance company.
But Judge never expressed those feelings throughout the season. Instead, he focuses on performance and the team. After a slow start that generated some boos at Yankee Stadium, Judge exploded. After making more than 50 appearances before hitting his first home game of the season, Judge hit 12 home players in May and November in June — and then he got really hot. In the second half of the season, Judge hit 0.349 with an on-base percentage of 0.502 and a slippage rate of 0.785.
When Judge resumed production after the All-Star break, he single-handedly saved the Yankees from one of baseball’s biggest crashes. As the Yankees’ lead in the American League East nearly evaporated, Judge fended off the attack with seemingly everyday acts of heroism. In a series against Toronto blue jayhe scored in every run.
Judge hit 60th of the season on September 20, marking Babe Ruth’s 1927 mark, then matched Roger Maris’ AL record of 61 on September 28 in Toronto. On October 4, Judge overcame Maris with a homer in the first round Texas Ranger‘ Jesus Tinoco.
Last month, Judge was named AL MVP for a season where he hit 0.311 with 133 runs and 131 RBIs.
The Yankees have a long history of staying grounded in contract negotiations, even with their own superstars, from Ruth to Joe DiMaggio to Reggie Jackson to Derek Jeter. But the pressure on owner Hal Steinbrenner to sign Judge is probably unlike anything he’s faced before, given Judge’s production and the popularity of the people. Yankees fan.
Steinbrenner spoke to Judge several times after the Yankees were eliminated in the AL Championship Series by Houston Astros and, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, made an offer worth about $300 million in the first eight years of the season.
The Yankees’ uncertainty about Judge’s intentions grew. In previous negotiations, including those in the spring, Judge’s side would simply say “no” instead of making an offer to the contrary. When Judge meets the Giant and the Padres, the Yankees aren’t sure what he’ll do. Anxiety has grown in the organization to the point where the front office has come up with possible Plan Bs, such as pursuing a stop, that could be Xander Bogaerts.
According to Passan, Judge flew to San Diego on Monday to meet with the Padres, who had previously made a record-high offer but was unsuccessful. Trea Turner. Steinbrenner pushed his offer to $360 million — nearly 70% more than the Yankees made just eight months ago, reflecting Judge’s value to the franchise and to the self-reseller market. because it’s skyrocketing.
“Hopefully Hal Steinbrenner is the Mariano Rivera of these negotiations and can close something,” Cashman said Wednesday.
“Hal Steinbrenner is the tip of the spear with this one,” added Cashman. “…Our organization has tried to stay connected in every way possible, and Hal Steinbrenner is also directly with Aaron Judge to ensure that no issues are exposed and no efforts are lost. When Aaron Judge makes the final decision on what he wants to do with his professional career, as he moves forward, that nothing will come of it. unsaid, or nothing unresolved.”
Going forward, the Yankees may make tough choices shaped by the contractual obligations on their books. They owe Judges about $105 million annually Gerrit Cole and midfielder Giancarlo Stantonalong with long-term offers for DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks. They need to define a stop, another starting pitcher, and the bullpen’s help.
But all of that might feel a little easier now that they’ve retained the franchise lead and club head in Judge, who appears to be Jeter’s obvious heir. as the next captain of the team.
The MLB network first reported that Judge would re-sign with the Yankees, while The Athletic first reported on the terms of the deal.
ESPN’s Joon Lee contributed to this report.
