Aaron Judge, Yankees Agree To Largest Free Agent Deal In MLB History

Topline

The New York Yankees and star outfielder Aaron Judge agreed to terms on a record-breaking contract, several outlets reported Wednesday, a significantly larger payday than offered to Judge this spring after he had one of the best seasons in MLB history.

Aaron Judge has 360 million reasons to smile.

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Key Facts

The deal is worth $360 million over nine seasons, or $40 million per year, according to the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

That’s the largest free agent contract by total value ever and the largest average annual payout for a position player in history.

The reigning Most Valuable Player award winner, Judge’s 62 home runs in 2022 shattered the American League’s all-time record.

Only pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander’s contracts with the New York Mets surpass Judge’s deal on an annual basis, while contract extensions previously signed by fellow outfielders Mike Trout ($12 years, $427 million) and Mookie Betts ($12 years, $360 million) edge out Judge’s overall payday.

Surprising Fact

Judge turned down the Yankees’ seven-year, $213.5 million ($31 million per year) extension offer before the season, opting to test the open market for a larger contract. The 6-foot-7 power hitter’s bet paid off handsomely, getting nearly $150 million more after a very public flirtation with the San Francisco Giants, reportedly receiving a roughly $360 million contract offer from San Francisco.

Key Background

The Yankees are by far the MLB’s most valuable team, according to our estimates, worth $6 billion, about 50% more than any other club. The Yankees are historically considered baseball’s most lavish spender, but its spending habits have been rivaled recently by several teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, who inked shortstop Trea Turner to the fourth-largest free agent deal in MLB history earlier this week.

Topline

Key Facts

Surprising Fact

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