MLB Insider: Yankees' New Offer to Aaron Judge Would Be Record-Setting Contract

Jeff Passan of ESPN reports that the Yankees have offered Aaron Judge a contract worth approximately $300 million, a figure that could increase going forward.

Max Goodman | Nov 30, 2022

In this story:

This record-setting superstar has received a new offer in free agency, one that what would be a record-setting contract.

Aaron Judge has an offer on the table from the Yankees in the neighborhood of eight years and $300 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. That deal would exceed the previous benchmark in average annual value for a position player, set by Mike Trout at $35.5 million.

Passan added that New York's offer to Judge is poised to increase depending on how much the San Francisco Giants (or other suitors, like the Los Angeles Dodgers) are willing to spend.

New York offered Judge a $213.5 million extension before Opening Day. Judge declined, betting on himself. He proceeded to make history, swatting 62 home runs, becoming the new single-season home run king in the American League in the final year of his contract. The 30-year-old led the Majors in countless statistical categories, carrying the Yankees to an ALCS appearance while winning the first Most Valuable Player Award of his career.

While both Judge and the Yankees have made it clear their goal is to renew their relationship for 2023 and beyond, anything can happen on the open market. Judge recently met with the Giants in San Francisco, stopping by at Oracle Park while texting with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry about playing in the Bay Area. That, of course, is close to home for Judge, who grew up down the road in Linden, California.

Here's one final note from Passan:

Across the industry, the expectation is that Judge re-signs, but it's worth remembering: The last time the highest-paid free agent remained with his current team was Yoenis Cespedes with the Mets in 2016. And before that, it was Matt Holliday in 2009.

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Published Nov 30, 2022

MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.