The New York Yankees got their wish this morning when it was announced that they had re-signed their slugger and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge.
The deal is for nine years and is worth $360 million.
Judge becomes the fifth player in baseball history to re-sign with his team after winning the MVP Award, joining Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez, Robin Yount, Joe Morgan, and Andre Dawson.
On the opposite side, Judge avoided joining Barry Bonds in exclusive company, not only signing elsewhere after winning the MVP, but signing with the San Francisco Giants in particular.
The 30-year-old is a Bay Area native.
Aaron Judge was the 6th player to become a free agent the offseason after winning MVP
He’s the 5th to re-sign with the same team, joining:
2007 Alex Rodriguez NYY
1989 Robin Yount MIL
1987 Andre Dawson CHC
1976 Joe Morgan CINOnly to change teams:
1992 Barry Bonds PIT to SF
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) December 7, 2022
Judge Avoids Exclusive Company
Bonds now remains the only MVP to change teams after becoming a free agent, leaving the Pittsburgh Pirates to join the Giants.
Still, Judge could have easily joined Bonds in all-exclusive company.
Instead, the slugger chose to remain with the Yankees.
Judge blasted 62 home runs, drove in 131 runs, hit for a .311 average, and posted an OPS of 1.111.
His 62 home runs broke Roger Maris‘ single-season record for the most home runs hit by an American League player.
That record had stood since 1961.
Judge helped guide the Yankees to their first AL East title since 2019.
The Bronx Bombers eliminated the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS before being swept by the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros in the ALCS, with Judge making the last out of the series.
Some speculated that it may have been Judge’s last at-bat as a Yankee.
That is not the case, as Judge remains in the Bronx.
NEXT: Yankees Retain Their Star But Lose A Key Pitcher