MLB Analyst believes that it was paramount for the Yankees to retain Aaron Judge this year
The New York Yankees and Aaron Judge went through a rollercoaster ride this offseason when the star slugger hit free agency and all the ball clubs started to salivate at the sight of wanting him in their franchise.
After a huge scare from the San Francisco Giants, the Yankee management finally locked down the reigning AL MVP to a nine-year, 360 million-dollar contract and further announced him as the new captain of the Yankees.
"Aaron Judge bet on himself and earned a 9yr/360mil $ contract along with the title of Captain of the Yankees" - FirstPitchMedia
Many analysts believe that the Yankees could have signed many other stars this offseason, but if they missed out on their star outfielder, then they could be in some major trouble. Considering the business done by other major league ball clubs this offseason, it was absolutely necessary for the Yankees to retain Judge.
"Without Judge, the identity isn't really there for the Yankees"
"The future of the Yankees and Twins would have looked very different had they not re-signed Judge and Correa" - TalkinBaseball_
Aaron Judge is a stellar figure for the Yankees
After setting a franchise record with 62 home runs in 2022, Aaron Judge inked the biggest contract in Yankees history. Judge finally decided to return to the team that selected him in the first round of the 2013 draft, the New York Yankees, despite receiving attractive offers from the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Giants.
"It was a shock to me. Aaron Judge talks about the moment that he became the 16th captain" - sn_mlb
Hal Steinbrenner visited Judge in Tampa, Florida, at the start of the offseason and made it obvious that he wanted the slugger to stay in pinstripes for the rest of his life. Steinbrenner called on Judge to try to close the deal while he was on vacation in Italy.
After taking it upon himself to be the team's un-designated leader last season, Judge outperformed all expectations; this was, in Brian Cashman's words, "the all-time best bet."
"Miss watching Aaron Judge hit moonshots every night" - YankeeWRLD
Judge had a fantastic season, batting .313/.425/.686 in 157 games and leading the Majors in almost every hitting statistic. It involved an AL record of 62 home runs, 133 runs, 131 RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS, and covering total bases 391 times during the regular season.
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