3 Reasons why Aaron Judge won’t be with the New York Yankees next season
The arbitration panel was taken by surprise when the New York Yankees and Aaron Judge settled a deal before the hearing on June 24. What won't be a surprise is if both the Yankees and their prized slugger part ways at the conclusion of the 2022 campaign. At least that's what one primary insider is suggesting.
Buster Olney does not believe Aaron Judge will be a Yankee next year.
Sure the folks in the bronx would be understanding if that became reality. https://t.co/rOaimJXMJv
"Buster Olney does not believe Aaron Judge will be a Yankee next year" - Starting 9
Olney's response to whether or not he believed Judge would remain with the organization was simply "No." With all things considered, this analyst understands where Olney's coming from.
A few observations can be made from the start of Spring Training up to this point in the negotiation process. These silent factors speak volumes as to why Judge's days in pinstripes may be numbered. Here are three reasons Judge will walk at the end of the 2022 MLB campaign.
Judge's desire to test the market
"The Judge" has won the jury of 29 other teams who will readily pay the heart's desire of the superstar right fielder. One overlooked statement other news outlets missed was a key question one reporter asked, which was met with a very discouraging two-letter word.
Judge was asked by a reporter at 1:01: "Does this give you any more confidence that the next deal, the big deal will get done?"
@TheJudge44 response was a somber "No" Ouch.
@SFGiants @Yankees
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Judge was asked by a reporter att 1:01: "Does this give you any more confidence that the next deal, the big deal will get done?" Judges response was a somber "No" - The 501 Glove
Judge uttered the answer sullenly before quickly redirecting the topic to his excitement over the settlement. Does his tone imply his lack of confidence in a deal?
It is reported that Judge is looking for an offer in the same realm as Mike Trout. If that is the case, Judge's eyes may be set on the open market. The Yankees don't seem eager to offer a record deal. At this point, Aaron Judge seems to know what he wants and may be open for a bidding war come 2023.
Judge's age
Make no mistake, Judge is proving he's still in the midst of his prime with a .299 AVG, 53 RBIs and an MLB-leading 27 HRs. However, at age 30, the Yankees have enough hefty contracts to players nearing their mid-30s and beyond.
Josh Donaldson's and Giancarlo Stanton's contracts are not due up until the end of 2023 and 2027, respectively. Aaron Judge may be the odd man out. With the Yankees unlikely to meet Judge's mammoth contract desires, it's looking more and more like the end of the line for Aaron Judge in pinstripes.
Yankees' lack of talks and commitment
What's disturbing about the entire process is that the Yankees have not publicly expressed a desire to retain his services long-term. That leaves fans to wonder if the New York Yankees' initial offer on April 7 was their final offer.
When your star player is set to hit the open market, there should at least be an expressed desire to keep him around. Thus far, mum's been the word between Judge and the Bronx Bombers regarding a contract extension.
The final verdict for Judge
The story of what if's have been swirling ever since the Yankees' right fielder declined a sizeable raise on April 7. As the MLB calendar year unfolds, there remain more questions than answers from both ends. Instead of his pinstriped future becoming clearer, the image waxes murkier. The more clouded his future with the club becomes, the more likely he is to find a home elsewhere.