The New York Yankees have retained Aaron Judge on a nine-year, $360 million contract.
The reigning American League MVP was the top free agent on the market and was expected to receive a large payday with his new contract.
But the contract Judge has signed with the Yankees wasn’t even the best offer that he received.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the San Diego Padres had made quite a strong offer to Judge.
The Padres had offered the 30-year-old a 10-year, $400 million deal, which stands to reason why Judge flew out to San Diego in the first place.
Ultimately, Judge chose to remain a Yankee.
The primary reason why Aaron Judge flew to San Diego on Tuesday was to meet with the San Diego #Padres.
They offered him $400 million over 10 years.
Judge stays put in New York for $360 million over nine years.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 7, 2022
Friars Miss Out On Judge
The Padres certainly tried their best to bring in Judge.
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
Now, the slugger returns to the Bronx and has a chance to defend his AL MVP crown.
Judge hit 62 home runs and broke Roger Maris‘ all-time single-season home run record for American League players.
That was enough to earn him MVP honors.
Still, Padres fans are likely not happy campers this morning after hearing the news that their contract offer to Judge was not only turned down, but worth more money that the offer presented by the Yankees.
The Padres lost the NLCS in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies.
After Josh Bell signed with the Cleveland Guardians, San Diego appeared to have turned its focus to Judge.
But even though they offered him more money, Judge ultimately chose the Yankees, and will be under contract through the 2031 season.
