New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge famously rejected $213 million before the season, opting to bet on himself and find the best possible deal after the season when he enters free agency.
However, as it turns out, his 2022 salary isn’t yet established.
Player and team couldn’t agree on his 2022 pay, so they are going to arbitration.
The hearing is tomorrow.
“Aaron Judge and the Yankees are still scheduled for their arbitration hearing tomorrow. No sign of progress in talks yet. The Yankees submitted $17M, Judge $21M,” MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted.
Aaron Judge and the Yankees are still scheduled for their arbitration hearing tomorrow. No sign of progress in talks yet. The Yankees submitted $17M, Judge $21M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 21, 2022
A $4 million gap is substantial, and if the two sides haven’t been able to solve it so far, it seems inevitable for them to go to the hearing.
Arbitration Hearings Can Get Ugly
As the Yankees know all too well, arbitration hearings can get ugly.
They entered a public fight with their own reliever, Dellin Betances, back in 2017: the pitcher wanted $5 million and the Yankees offered $3 million.
An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Bombers, but the team president said some nasty things about Betances, and their relationship was probably never the same.
He ended up leaving as a free agent eventually.
Judge, who is leading the league in home runs with 25 and has been the most impressive offensive performer, wants to stay in New York for the long-term; and the Yankees want him to stay, too.
However, they have failed to meet each other’s valuations, so the situation could get tricky.
If Judge reaches free agency, the Yankees should still be considered favorites for his services, but wealthy teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets could enter the mix.
That’s never good.
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