Aaron Judge gets a free-agency boost with another top award

Amid big projections for Aaron Judge‘s new contract and speculations during his free agency, the slugger got a major award boost on Thursday. He won the prestigious Silver Slugger for the third time.

On MLB Network on Thursday night, the winners of Louisville Slugger’s annual awards were announced. Aaron Judge was the only one of the three Yankees finalists to win. Anthony Rizzo at first base, DJ LeMahieu at second base and as a utility player, and Giancarlo Stanton as designated hitter were the other three finalists.

After the awards were announced, the power hitter reacted :

“This is an incredible honor getting the Silver Slugger. I never take it for granted based on all the players in the league that had incredible years. I don’t know what to say. This is something special that me and my family will remember and hold onto.”

The Yankees are facing a stiff challenge from the San Francisco Giants to retain the slugger while the Rangers and the Dodgers are also awaiting to snatch him away.

The spate of awards in the offseason only adds to Aaron Judge’s credibility and demand. According to Brian Cashman, the Yankees’ general manager, the slugger is in a position to dictate the terms of his contract and make others dance to his tunes. He told:

“Optimally, if you could wave a magic wand, we would secure Aaron Judge and retain him and have him signed and happy in the fold as soon as possible. He’s a free agent. He’s earned the right to be a free agent. So he’ll dictate the dance steps.”

Judge was named the 2022 AL Hank Aaron Award winner on Wednesday. He also won as a rookie in 2017 and 2021. He is a big favorite to win the AL MVP, which is slated to be announced next Thursday.

Aaron Judge pipped Ohtani to win the Players Choice Award for the Player of the Year. The Yankees slugger has also been named for the Outstanding American League Player award. He was voted by the association that has his teammates as well as players who played against him. Their voting for the power hitter above Shohei Ohtani clearly put him ahead in the race for the AL MVP award.

Baseball Digest and eBay also selected Aaron Judge as the best major league player of the year. A group of 22 baseball writers and broadcasters, including former players, managers, and executives, all gave Aaron Judge 18 first-place votes compared to Ohtani getting four first-place votes. This adds strength to his claim for the AL MVP award.

Aaron Judge will be a big winner again in the coming weeks when he signs a contract that is expected to pay him more than $300 million. According to an estimate by ESPN’s MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel, it may exceed $320 million.

In April, Judge turned down a seven-year, $213.5-million contract extension offer. He then went out and had a historic season, setting an AL record with 62 home runs and coming close to winning the Triple Crown.

Winners and finalists for the Silver Slugger

AMERICAN LEAGUE

1ST BASE: Winner: Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers. Finalists: Anthony Rizzo, Yankees; Jose Abreu, White Sox & Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays;.

2ND BASE: Winner: Jose Altuve, Astros. Finalists: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees; Andres Gimenez, Guardians & Marcus Semien, Rangers.

SHORTSTOP: Winner: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox. Finalists: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays; Carlos Correa, Twins & Corey Seager, Rangers.

3RD BASE: Winner: Jose Ramirez, Guardians. Finalists: Alex Bregman, Astros; Matt Chapman, Blue Jays & Rafael Devers, Red Sox.

OUTFIELD: Winners: Aaron Judge, Yankees; Julio Rodriguez, Mariners & Mike Trout, Angels. Finalists: Randy Arozarena, Rays; Adolis Garcia, Rangers; Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays; George Springer, Blue Jays; Kyle Tucker, Astros & Taylor Ward, Angels.

CATCHER: Winner: Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays. Finalists: Martin Maldonado, Astros; Sean Murphy, Athletics; Salvador Perez, Royals; Cal Raleigh, Mariners & Adley Rutschman, Orioles.

DESIGNATED HITTER: Winner: Yordan Alvarez, Astros. Finalists: Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees; Adolis Garcia, Rangers; Shohei Ohtani, Angels & George Springer, Blue Jays.

UTILITY: Winner: Luis Arraez, Twins; Luis Rengifo, Angels; Shohei Ohtani, Angels. Finalists: DJ LeMahieu, Yankees; Luis Rengifo, Angels; Shohei Ohtani, Angels.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

1ST BASE: Winner: Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals. Finalists: Pete Alonso, Mets; Freddie Freeman, Dodgers; Matt Olson, Braves & Christian Walker, Diamondbacks.

2ND BASE: Winner: Finalists: Jeff McNeil, Mets. Finalists: Jake Cronenworth, Padres; Katel Marte, Diamondbacks; Brendan Rodgers, Rockies & Kolten Wong, Brewers.

SHORTSTOP: Winner: Trea Turner, Dodgers. Finalists: Francisco Lindor, Mets; Willy Adames, Brewers; & Dansby Swanson, Braves.

3RD BASE: Winner: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals. Finalists: Manny Machado, Padres; Austin Riley, Braves & Justin Turner, Dodgers.

OUTFIELD: Winners: Mookie Betts, Dodgers; Kyle Schwarber, Phillies & Juan Soto, Padres. Finalists: Michael Harris II, Braves; Starling Marte, Mets; Brandon Nimmo, Mets; Joc Pederson, Giants; Hunter Renfroe, Brewers & Bryan Reynolds, Pirates.

CATCHER: Winner: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies. Finalists: Willson Contreras, Cubs; Travis D’Arnaud, Braves & Will Smith, Dodgers.

DESIGNATED HITTER: Winner: Josh Bell, Padres. Finalists: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies; Albert Pujols, Cardinals; Justin Turner, Dodgers & Luke Voit, Nationals.

UTILITY: Winner: Brandon Drury, Padres. Finalists: Jeff McNeil, Mets; Tommy Edman, Cardinals; Thairo Estrada, Giants & Chris Taylor, Dodgers.