Aaron Judge has stuck with a legendary organization to further his career, and he’ll be paid well by the Yankees to play a sport he helped promote so much this past season.
Let us remember that he broke the home run record in the American League and moreover in the New York franchise, by hitting 62 long balls during the 2022 season. The fact that the record previously belonged to Roger Maris literally dove the new record holder in Yankees history.
A strong sense of pride arose as he was in contact with members of the Maris family for several weeks as he added up the long strikes.
That final season sure made Judge choose his New York legacy over getting richer.
His new pact valued at $360 million for the next nine seasons makes him one of the athletes with the highest annual salary, averaging $40 million per season.
This signing surprised many because many fans saw him heading to California to play for the Giants or the Dodgers, but the great number 99 preferred to continue rewriting the history of the Yankees with a stroke of the stick at the time. The San Diego Padres have even pointed their noses in the discussions.
Professional players preferring to stay with the same organization throughout their careers are not common these days and adding nine years through his new contract with the Yankees, Aaron Judge could be one of them.
Judge will be 39 when his current pact ends and he’s not immune to injury.
With this very big signing, the Yankees’ payroll in anticipation of the 2023 season should reach $266.5 million, which is almost similar to their record mass of $267 million recorded in 2022.
Once the dust settles and the next training camp opens, the pressure to win a World Series will be on Judge’s shoulders for the next nine seasons.
Blue Jays fans will therefore have to deal with Aaron Judge playing in the same division for years to come. A reality that sometimes gives nightmares.
