Aaron Judge’s free agency set the hot stove ablaze and ended with a record-setting contract to remain a Yankee for life. emmabaccellieri on the big bet that paid off
. But instead, in the end, he decided to stay put. The deal ensures the cornerstone of the Yankees’ offense will remain in New York. And it gives Judge another claim on history in the form of a record-setting contract—a bet on himself that paid off.
There’s not much to say about Judge’s talent as a slugger that hasn’t already been said. He’s fresh off a historic season in which, earning him the American League single-season record and making him the first player in two decades to hit more than 60. This was, of course, the best season of his career so far. But Judge has a remarkable track record of consistency: He’s never had a bad season. He’s never even really had a mediocre one.
A deal this size always comes with a few question marks. There’s his age—he’ll be 31 in April—and the potential health concerns that accompany his size. Judge is 6’7”; there is naturally some apprehension about how his body might hold up long-term. Though he’s coming off two consecutive seasons of good health, his early career was dotted with injuries, particularly soft-tissue ones.
For the Yankees, their immediate future now looks far brighter than it would have otherwise. Had the slugger walked, they would have needed to spend their offseason trying to replace him. Instead, they can now focus on other needs, like adding some pitching depth. Judge has made six consecutive playoff appearances with the Yankees—but he has never had a chance to play in the World Series. They’ll surely hope to do their best to change that in the first few years of this deal.
Judge bet on himself last spring when he turned down that final extension offer from the Yankees. He’s now made sure that bet paid off—and then some.
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