It’s the offseason, the Yankees have decisions to make, beginning with Aaron Judge. On a list of items to do this winter, making sure Judge returns to the pinstripes must remain top priority.
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner recently confirmed he’s had conversations with Judge. He’s had “more than one” with Judge since the Yankees’ 2022 season was brought to a screeching halt by the Houston Astros.
“I have made it clear to him that is our wish. He means a lot to this organization, and I’ve made it clear to him we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.”
Hal Steinbrenner, when asked if he feels confident that Judge will remain in pinstripes.
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com also writes on general manager Brian Cashman saying at the GM meetings this week in Las Vegas that he’s been in contact with Judge’s agent, Page Odle.
Well, that’s great, they’re talking. Because it could be worse; their could be radio silence between both sides. Judge is, after all, a free agent for the first time in his professional playing career. The leverage, arguably, is on his side after posting one of the most historical seasons in the game’s history.
From the outside looking in, no one knows what Judge is thinking right now as he goes through this process. He has a great deal to consider before ultimately making his decision. And he absolutely should take his time, he’s already bet on himself and won.
This right here, is the reward. Aaron Judge can pick his next destination, at the compensation he believes he’s worth.
When Aaron Judge wasn’t hitting home runs, he was getting on base. Put him anywhere in the first three spots of the starting lineup, he delivered.
After turning down a seven-year, $213.5 million extension from the Yankees, Judge bet on himself in a prove-it or lose-it 2022 season. He set an American League record with 62 home runs. Additionally, Judge made a serious push for the Triple-Crown award while leading the Majors in runs, home runs, runs batted in, and slugging percentage. He finished second in the American League for batting average at .311.
He didn’t deliver in the postseason, hitting .139 while hearing boos at Yankee Stadium during the Astros’ American League Championship Series sweep. There’s no denying it was a forgettable postseason for Judge, however, there’s no denying what he means to the Yankees on and off the field.
For the Yankees, when it comes to Judge, it needs to be about the overall picture. Hal Steinbrenner said Judge means a great deal to the organization, he wasn’t telling us anything we didn’t already know. The manager, Aaron Boone, loves him. The players, his teammates, follow his lead. The brand that is the Yankees, benefit from the star power that is Aaron Judge.
For all the money the Yankees have spent over the last decade, mostly on free agents or through trades, Judge is a home-grown Yankee. He’s the “baby bomber” the fan base has watched evolve into the team leader.
But them wolves are knocking at the door…
ESPN’s MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel projected on Wednesday that Judge will receive a contract north of $320 million.
“[Judge] turned down a $213.5 million extension before the season started and was probably worth somewhere between that and $250 million at the time, then it became clear during the year that he was likely to clear $300 million, with estimates averaging roughly $320 million from a panel of experts I polled in September,” McDaniel wrote.
The San Francisco Giants are emerging as a strong possible. They have the cash and the ambition to make a serious push for signing Judge. Additionally, and this could be the wild card, Judge grew up about 100 miles from San Francisco in Linden, Calif., and attended Fresno State University. The opportunity to go back to your hometown and play in front of family is an intriguing apple to dangle for anyone.
It’s why the Yankees must make sure they’re about more than words with Aaron Judge, it’s about backing that up with action. Come to the bargaining table with not just a deal, it must be the right deal.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
