Aaron Judge Could Determine New York Baseball Supremacy Over The Next Decade

Baseball is alive and well in New York regardless of the emotional pendulum experienced daily by Mets and Yankees fans. Amid angst and inexcusable losses, both ball clubs are still among the elite within Major League Baseball. Besides the inevitability of competing in the same postseason for the first time since 2015, the Mets and Yankees should also win at least 90 ball games which hasn’t occurred since 2006 when both had finished with identical 97-65 records.

Aaron Judge is electrifying as he chases Roger Maris’ American League single season record of 61 home runs. He has handled the pressure with grace and humility while maintaining a singular focus on helping the Yankees win a world championship. Unaffected by the overwhelming attention, Judge’s upcoming free agency has become a matter of great importance. Believe it or not, Judge’s free agency could determine New York baseball supremacy over the next decade.

Don’t think for a moment the matter will easily be solved with a decade long contract at an average annual value of at least $40 million. Franchises who are serious about Judge will realize well before negotiations commence, they will likely overpay for his services. The mindset must be pay for a decade but hope for seven quality seasons and a return on investment in other business-related endeavors. By no means is this an indictment on Judge, but an honest observation regarding the structure of long-term guaranteed contracts, current trends in free agent spending on elite ball players, and the economics of baseball.

A recent development speaks volumes regarding the Mets and their possible pursuit of Judge in free agency. Sandy Alderson will be stepping down as team president and transitioning into a special adviser role once his successor has been selected by owners Steve and Alex Cohen. Instead of viewing this as an internal power struggle, it is a proud and defining moment. Alderson’s transition means there is a high level of trust and stability within the franchise and the dysfunction that has plagued the Mets is slowly becoming a distant memory.

Steve Cohen is treating the Mets with great reverence as a beloved community asset. Excellence doesn’t happen overnight as Cohen has confronted toxicity and ineptitude with a renewed mindset focused on accountability. By learning valuable lessons through mistakes, Cohen is running the Mets with enthusiasm while investing in human capital and employee morale. Besides an authentic commitment to the fan experience, Cohen is rebuilding the Mets through innovation, strategic partnerships, on field excellence, and an unquenchable desire to win. Like George Steinbrenner at his zenith with the Yankees as principal owner, winning is like oxygen to Cohen.

A man who has accumulated billions in wealth based on an intimate understanding of data, Cohen didn’t experiment with the latest trends in managerial hires and decided to invest in a proven leader with extensive experience in Buck Showalter. Alderson and Showalter’s vast contributions to the Mets’ newfound winning culture demonstrates the importance of enlightened leadership, organizational structure, and meaningful collaborations. It’s as if the franchise is finally aligned with the fans’ expectations.

The consensus is that Judge will remain in pinstripes, but never underestimate the temptations that are always present in free agency. Judge is not only the cornerstone of the franchise, but he is the embodiment of the Yankees’ iconic brand. He is the rock upon which the franchise is built whose simple acts of kindness has endeared himself to generations of fans. Besides redefining what the word “valuable” means in baseball parlance, Judge is the personification of class and excellence.

Recently, the Boston Red Sox signed a 10-year, $170 million jersey patch sponsorship deal with Mass Mutual to begin at the outset of the 2023 season. The Yankees have asked Legends to assist them in the process of securing a jersey patch sponsorship. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see the Yankees receive at least $20 million on an annual basis. It could be substantially more if Judge is proudly wearing the pinstripes next season.

There is an age-old question that is worthy of reflection: do fans root for individual athletes or the uniform? Judge will be the ultimate litmus test as he has a deep and personal relationship with Yankees fans. Will they feel the same way if Judge leaves the Bronx? What if he crosses the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to play for the Mets? Should the Yankees be concerned about brand value if Judge departs via free agency?

The back pages of the New York tabloids were always a clear sign of victory and defeat in the battle for supremacy between the Mets and Yankees. Now, victory will be determined in schoolyards across the boroughs, suburbs, and counties of the tri-state area. A key aspect for the future of baseball in New York is who will win the pre-teen demographic. As it must be a thrill for Cohen to see seven-year-old fans walking through the gates of Citi Field wearing Francisco Lindor jerseys, can you imagine what it would be like if those blue and orange jerseys had Judge’s name on the back of it?

As Cohen is eliminating misfortune from the Mets’ vocabulary, questions exist regarding how aggressive he will be in pursuing Judge. Besides the revised thresholds and penalties in the new collective bargaining agreement aimed specifically at owners such as Cohen, the Mets have serious decisions regarding several of their own free agents. Right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom plans to exercise the opt out clause in his contract and will command a significant raise with an average annual value like teammate and right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer’s $43.33 million. Another high-profile free agent for the Mets, right-handed closer Edwin Diaz, will seek to increase his $10.2 million salary from his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Aaron Judge should never play for another franchise other than the New York Yankees. The unpredictability of free agency is conducive to surprises and unexpected partnerships. Excitement surrounds the New York Mets as the battle for market supremacy will be fiercely contested over the next decade. However, it all starts with Judge’s future in the Bronx.