Aaron Judge points to the fans after hitting a homerun. {Photo Courtesy ESPN}
The 2022 MLB winter meetings have begun with surprising signings of teams in the National League, as pitchers and infielders in this year's free agency made headlines before the winter meetings began. Two-time National League CY Young award winner Jacob DeGrom signed with the Texas Rangers for 185 million dollars for five years, recent World Series champion and current American League CY Young winner, Justin Verlander, signed with the New York Mets for 86 million dollars for two years, and Trea Turner signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for eleven years' worth 300 million dollars.
In the American League, outfielder Aaron Judge has re-signed with the New York Yankees for nine years’ worth 360 million dollars according to ESPN. Judge is coming off a record-breaking season of hitting sixty-two home runs, breaking Roger Maris’s 1961 homerun record of sixty-one in a single season. Judge’s stats increased with 131 RBIs, a .311 batting average, third silver slugger award, and winning his first American League Most Valuable Player.
Before the 2022 regular season, the Yankees offered Judge an extension worth 230 million dollars for seven years. On Opening Day, Judge declined the offer and told the Yankees he will go into the offseason as a free agent. Judge made it a mission to prove to the Yankees that he was worth more than what they offered. After opening day, Judge was the most talked about player in baseball by leading in home runs, runs batted in, and batting average. Judge was recognized for his defensive plays in the outfield by playing center field instead of his current position in right field. Judge became not just a leader in the Yankee clubhouse, but he became a voice for his teammates, coaching staff, and the Yankee fan base. Judge off the field has done great things for his foundation, spending time with kids before games, and giving back to the less fortunate in New York.
In the second half of the season, Judge continued his historical season by passing Babe Ruth, and Roger Maris for the single-season home run record in the American League. In September, Judge was close to winning the triple crown award while leading in all baseball categories. In the postseason, Judge struggled by leading the team in strikeouts at the plate but pushed his teammates to step up when he needed them to, and they did.
After losing to the Houston Astros for the third time in six years in the American League Championship Series, Judge became a free agent for the first time in his career. On Tuesday for the kickoff of the Winter Meetings, The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres were in the running for Judge and offered him a contract according to MLB.com. On Wednesday morning, the Yankees agreed with the Judge to stay with the Yankees on the deal Judge wanted, according to ESPN.
Aaron Judge has earned the respect and contract he deserves after a historical season. If the Yankees let Judge sign with another team, serious questions would need to be asked. However, the Yankees have re-signed Judge, and are the first team ever in sports with three players on 300 million dollar-plus contracts.
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