The MVP Frontrunner is About to get Paid
Before the start of the 2022 season, New York Yankees star and MVP candidate Aaron Judge set the deadline at opening day to reach an extension with the team. It was clear that Judge wanted to work things out, but the two sides could not reach a deal which will ultimately lead to Judge testing the market this offseason. Yankees GM Brian Cashman even went public with terms of their final offer, an astounding 7 year $213.5 million deal.
Image Courtesy of SI Kids
Aaron Judge bet on himself by turning down a massive extension, and it sure has paid off. So far through 137 games, Judge is having a historic season for the AL East leading Yankees. He has smashed 55 home runs which is 19 more than second place, and he is on pace to break Roger Maris’ Yankee record of 61 bombs in one season set back in 1961.
He is doing more than just hitting homers, too. He leads the MLB in runs scored, RBIs, OPS, slugging and is currently 13th in batting average. Judge is the current favorite for AL MVP (-1000) carrying a Yankees team that has really struggled since the All-Star Break.
No matter what happens with the rest of the Yankees season, Judge will be in for a big payday this fall. He has made it clear he wants to be in New York, but he is not going to take a discount with 29 other teams being able to make offers. The Yankees have also reiterated the importance of Judge to the franchise and that they will be aggressive in their negotiations.
With Judge being 30 years old and having previous injury problems, it is reasonable that Judge will not see offers with 10+ years on the contract. He should see 6-8 year deals that offer a lot more per year than the $30.5 million AAV from the Yankees final offer. But it is definitely safe to say that we are currently watching history.
