The New York Yankees finally got their man.
Outfielder Aaron Judge was the top commodity in free agency this year, and the Yankees could not afford to let him leave.
Despite valiant efforts from the San Francisco Giants and San Deigo Padres, the AL MVP is staying with the Yankees.
But, did Judge make the right decision by taking less money to stay in New York?
From an outside view, staying with the Yankees was the right move for Judge.
His contract is for nine years and $360 million, making him the highest-paid player per year in the MLB.
Aaron Judge flew into San Diego at the last minute to decide among three teams: the New York Yankees, the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres. The Yankees bumped their offer to nine years and $360 million, and in the end, Judge decided he wanted to remain a Yankee.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
Playing for the Yankees is one of the more unique opportunities in sports.
They are one of the world’s most popular franchises, and Judge has become the face of that team.
Despite being from California, Judge’s home has been in New York.
He was drafted by the Yankees in 2013 and has only known this organization.
Plus, playing in Yankee Stadium is always a bonus, especially to his stats.
Being the face of a franchise is always a tough task, but Judge has thrived in the pressure of playing in New York.
No player in baseball had a more substantial impact on their team than Judge with the Yankees last year.
Changing teams and cities would have been very difficult for Judge.
But now he can stay in New York for what most likely will be the rest of his career.
Captain Status
Being named captain of the Yankees is an honor that only a few players in their history have received.
The last Yankees captain was Derek Jeter, who retired in 2014.
But, now Judge is expected to get that honor next season, and for the rest of his Yankees career.
The #Yankees have yet to make it official but Aaron Judge will be wearing a C on his chest for the next nine years.
He will be named captain of the Yankees.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 7, 2022
Judge has been an elite player on the field and a model citizen off of it.
He embodies everything the Yankees are about and he has a similar makeup to that of Jeter.
The only thing Judge is missing is the World Series championship.
As he gets ready to start the first of his nine-year contract, Yankees fans are hoping Judge can lead them to the promised land.
NEXT: Yankees Ownership Reportedly Stepped Up To Close The Judge Deal
thomas michael says
wrong, for the yankees making this long term contract,,, they’re alreay stuck with cole and stanton,, what in the world will they do with them, a slightly above average pitcher to depended on doctoring up athe ball, and another guy who goes into these down turns and strikes out all the time, and will be a DH for yrs, and imagine what he’ll be like in a few yrs,, just aburdon on the team,, how many bad deals has cashman made, just look who he’s trying to get rid of,,, and we need starting pitching, ,we trade away a good young lefty to st louis for a noboby and let tailon leave to go to the cubs and get a 4 yr contract… we’ll be a team just like the angels, a few high paid stars ,and no championships… look at the astros,, they know when to dump somone, the yankees dont’,, look how the rays are managed , very very well… cashman for four more yrs,, may god, they yankees are going to be a second placed team forever,,, mismanagment from top to bottom