Here Comes the Judge

Nine years.  $360,000,000.  $40,000,000 per year.

That's price tag of the Yankees new contract with Aaron Judge, reigning American League M.V.P. and, apparently, a Yankee for life.  Or, at least until age 39.

It's the largest deal - in total annual salary and total value - ever for a position player.  It's only fitting, I guess, that the Yankees would be the franchise to pay it.  Somewhere, George Steinbrenner is smiling smugly and nodding his head.

Is it too much money to pay a 31-year old outfielder,  often injured during his career but coming off a season for the ages in which he broke Rogers Maris' American League home run record and led the Major Leagues in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, runs batted in, and total bases?  

No, it's not too much for Yankees to pay to Aaron Judge.  In fact, the Yankees had not choice.  They had to sign Aaron Judge or their fans would have revolted, and rightfully so.  

Franchise players, true franchise players - the superstars - are so rare in sports today.  In the modern era of the N.B.A., there was Michael Jordan, Hakeem, and Kobe.  Now, there is Steph Curry, standing alone.  In the N.F.L., no one stands out.  Peyton Manning and Tom Brady changes teams late in their careers.  

In baseball, there's Clayton Kershaw for my Dodgers, at least for now, although I suspect he pitches a final season for the Texas Rangers.  Barry Bonds is a San Francisco Giant for life but he carries a ton of baggage, obviously.  

Almost all of the superstars in baseball move on at some point from the team that originally drafted them.  As a Dodgers' fan, I was ecstatic to get Freddie Freeman from the Braves last year and he had a predictably fantastic season.  As a baseball fan, though, I was sad to see the Braves allow him to leave.  He was their heart and soul and he wanted to stay in Atlanta and would have taken less money to do so.

That brings me back to Aaron Judge.  I think it's important for teams to keep their heart and should superstars.  The ones the fans - especially kids - identify with and whose jerseys they wear.  That's who Aaron Judge is for the Yankees, for sure.  

So, good for Aaron Judge.  Good for the Yankees.  Good for baseball.

I still want Dansby Swanson from the Braves, though.  I can't wait to see him playing shortstop in Dodger Blue next season.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/07/sports/baseball/yankees-aaron-judge-contract.html