Will Aaron Judge Leave the Yankees as a Free Agent?

Cortes and Rizzo both said Judge, if he returned, should be named the Yankees captain, which the team hasn’t bestowed on a player since Derek Jeter, who retired in 2014. LeMahieu, who is weighing off-season surgery on his injured foot, said “we’d all be disappointed” and “shocked” if Judge were not back but that he understood the business side of the sport. Cole said his advice to Judge was to take his time with the process. Rizzo said Judge should enjoy being wooed by teams.

“He bet on himself on the biggest stage in the biggest market and did it with ease and should be rewarded as the highest paid player in the game,” Rizzo said. The highest paid position player in total contract value — $426.5 million — and average annual salary — $35.5 million — is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a three-time A.L. M.V.P.

Rizzo continued, “He’s the new gold standard in my opinion, and it’s all about market timing for the most part and what better time than 62 home runs, hitting over .300 and how he’s not a Gold Glove finalist is beyond me.”

No matter what, Judge said he was proud of his time as a Yankee and called it “an incredible honor” to don the pinstripes and play right field at Yankee Stadium.

“I check myself pregame and say a little prayer, and I look around the stadium and kind of pinch myself,” he said. “There’s very few individuals that get a chance to run out on the field and do that and play in front of the fans who support us throughout my whole six years here. It was a special time. I just kick myself for not bringing home that championship.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/24/sports/baseball/aaron-judge-yankees.html