If you have followed the New York Yankees closely in the last two years, you probably know that Anthony Rizzo and Aaron Judge are close friends.
Evidently, they enjoy each other’s company, as they are often spotted chatting in the dugout or even hanging out as friends outside of the diamond.
Coincidentally, both entered the offseason as free agents, after Rizzo opted out of his contract.
The Yankees have already secured Rizzo’s return to play first base.
On Tuesday, the sides agreed to a two-year, $34 million pact with a $17 million option for 2025.
Judge, however, remains free as a bird.
Reading the rumors is actually painful for Yankees fans: some say he was offended after getting booed in the offseason while reporters say he would look good in St. Louis Cardinals red or that the San Francisco Giants won’t be outbid for his services.
Rizzo Weighed In On Judge’s Free Agency
What is Rizzo’s opinion on Judge’s free agency, though?
“Anthony Rizzo on Aaron Judge’s free agency: ‘He’s in the driver’s seat. This is a position that not too many guys get to be in with the historic season. I think he’s going to enjoy this process to hear what teams have to say. He’s earned this,'” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted.
Anthony Rizzo on Aaron Judge's free agency:
"He's in the driver's seat. This is a position that not too many guys get to be in with the historic season. I think he's going to enjoy this process to hear what teams have to say. He's earned this."
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) November 16, 2022
Well, add that to the list of things Yankees fans didn’t want to hear.
Rizzo is right, though: the Yankees had their chance to extend Judge not only in spring training – when he rejected $230 million – but also since 2016 when he made his MLB debut.
Judge bet on himself and had a record-setting season that included a .311/.425/.686 line, 62 home runs, and 131 RBI.
He deserves to have his pick on his next destination and what kind of contract he wants.
We don’t know where he will go, but we do know this: he will get much, much more than $230 million.
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