Aaron Judge attempts to rewrite baseball history. But fans of the New York Yankees are left wondering whether or not this season will be the last time they see the slugger in pinstripes. While analysts are discussing the value of Judge’s next contract, ex-Yankee pitcher David Cone has suggested the Yankees to offer the slugger a shorter contract.
After turning down a seven-year, $213.5 million offer from the New York Yankees before Opening Day, the outfielder will be a free agent following the conclusion of the current season.
The question now is what can the Yankees do to keep their star player?
On the Dan Patrick Show, David Cone discussed possible actions that Judge’s contract talks could take. He highlighted the following options for Judge:
“He wants to find out is there another owner out there? Is there a couple of owners out there that are going to really push the system? That’s the only true way you can find out what your market value is.”
Cone went on to acknowledge that Aaron Judge is 30 years old and that a long-term contract might not be the best option in all circumstances. Instead, Cone suggests a shorter contract and offering Judge additional compensation that goes “above and beyond.” According to him:
“What is the top of the payroll right now? Max Scherzer makes in the mid-40′s, okay give Aaron Judge a six-year deal then for $50 million a year, rather than try to do the 10-year deal for $35 or $40 million a year. It’s the owners who want to spread out those costs and avoid the luxury tax.”
Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, was a guest on The Brian Kilmeade Show on FOX News Radio on Tuesday, where he discussed the re-signing of Judge. He told:
“We’re going to try our very, very best to sign him. We think the world of him. We think he’s a great player. We think he’s a great Yankee. And you know, that’s something that will happen in the off-season. … We’re going to put our best foot forward and try and keep him. We know his worth to the franchise. We know his worth to the Yankees. He’s been carrying us and doing it with great poise and dignity. And we’ll see what happens in the off-season. It won’t be for a lack of trying.”
Do you think Judge will agree to a shorter contract?
