Yankees offer record deal to Aaron Judge (report)

At this point, everyone already knows that Aaron Judge He turned down an offer for a $213.5 million, seven-year contract extension from the Yankees in March. Now, the slugger is on the verge of a bigger deal, after a historic season that earned him the Most Valuable Player of the American League.

Sure enough, the Yankees have upped their original offer to try to retain the face of their team today. According to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Passan (subscription required), New York has offered Judge a contract “in eight-year, $300 million territory, which could increase depending on how far San Francisco wants to go.” Francisco – the other team in the bid”.

A $300 million, eight-year deal would represent an average annual value of $37.5 million, making him the highest-paid position player in the game. Mike Trout holds the current record, with $35.5 million.

“Throughout the industry, the expectation is that Judge will re-sign, but it’s worth remembering that the last time the highest-paid free agent of a winter stayed on the same team was Cuban Yoenis Céspedes with the Mets in 2016.” Passan wrote. “Before that, it had been Matt Holliday in 2009.”

Whether or not Judge agrees with the Yankees, Giants or another club, Judge is expected to make his decision before the start of the Winter Meetings, which begin Dec. 7, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.

“For me, Judge will decide between the Yankees and Giants,” Morosi said. “I think the market has cleared and the fact that there are two teams will help you decide by the end of next week. I have always believed that by the end of the Winter Meetings he will have signed and I have not heard anything these days to indicate that he will go further.