Harper’s unexpected take on Aaron Judge’s Yankees deal boosts slugger’s iconic status

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Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper believes New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge should have commanded a much larger contract, pointing to the rapid escalation in baseball salaries over the past two years.

Harper, who signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies in 2019, shared his perspective in a wide-ranging interview with The Athletic published Wednesday. He expressed surprise that Judge’s nine-year, $360 million contract signed in December 2022 now appears significantly below market value for a player of his caliber.

“It’s the name of the game now,” Harper told The Athletic. “Guys are getting what they’re worth. It more shocks me that a guy like Aaron Judge didn’t get more than what he got or certain pitchers. You look at certain players and see what they’re doing and you can expect them to be in that tier of money.”

Harper’s comments come in the wake of Juan Soto’s record-shattering 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, which has reset salary expectations across baseball.

Market situation leaves Judge deal looking like a steal

When Judge re-signed with the Yankees after his 62-home run campaign in 2022, his contract was celebrated as one of the largest in MLB history, making him the highest-paid position player on an annual basis. Less than three years later, that deal is widely viewed as one of baseball’s biggest bargains.

Judge has continued his elite production, capturing two of the last three American League MVP awards. His 2024 season further cemented his status among baseball’s elite as he hit .322 with 58 home runs and 144 RBIs while posting a staggering 223 OPS+.

According to Fangraphs’ value metrics, Judge provided approximately $89.7 million worth of on-field value in 2024 alone, with his career production now estimated at $411 million — already exceeding his entire contract value with five years remaining on the deal.

Baseball executives who spoke on condition of anonymity believe Judge would command well over $500 million if he were a free agent in today’s market.

The Cohen factor in baseball’s financial landscape

The meteoric rise in player salaries can be traced in part to Mets owner Steve Cohen, whose aggressive spending approach has fundamentally altered baseball’s financial ecosystem. Cohen’s willingness to shatter salary records — exemplified by Soto’s landmark deal — has forced other organizations to recalibrate their valuation models.

Industry analysts point to Cohen’s influence as a primary factor in driving the recent surge in contract values. Since purchasing the Mets in 2020, his willingness to exceed luxury tax thresholds and pursue top-tier talent regardless of cost has created ripple effects throughout the sport’s economic landscape.

This spending surge has benefited many players in recent negotiating cycles, with Bobby Witt Jr. (11 years, $288.78 million) signing a significant extension with Kansas City, and more young stars positioned for massive paydays.

Harper specifically mentioned Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson as another player who could soon join baseball’s financial elite, noting the accelerating trend of teams locking up young talent with nine-figure deals.

Yankees reap benefits of timing

For the Yankees, Judge’s relatively team-friendly contract has provided substantial financial flexibility despite having the game’s premier power hitter anchoring their lineup. His $40 million annual salary, while substantial when signed in 2022, now appears modest compared to the record-breaking deals secured by players like Soto and Ohtani in more recent offseasons.

This financial advantage helped the Yankees pursue other high-profile additions like Max Fried (via free agency) while maintaining their competitive payroll structure in a market where rivals like the Mets have committed enormous sums to stars like Soto.

The timing of Judge’s extension — coming just before the unprecedented spending spree of the past two offseasons — ultimately saved the Yankees organization an estimated $100-150 million compared to what his market value would be today.

Judge’s Value Extends Beyond Statistics

While Harper’s comments focused primarily on Judge’s statistical production relative to his salary, Judge’s value to the Yankees extends beyond his on-field contributions.

As the face of baseball’s most storied franchise, Judge has become one of the sport’s most marketable stars. His jersey consistently ranks among MLB’s best-sellers, and his presence has helped the Yankees maintain their status as baseball’s most valuable franchise, recently valued by Forbes at approximately $7.9 billion.

Judge’s combination of on-field excellence and commercial appeal creates a dual value stream for the Yankees, further enhancing the team-friendly nature of his current contract.

Looking ahead to baseball’s next mega-deals

As player salaries continue their upward trajectory, attention now turns to the next wave of stars approaching free agency. Harper highlighted the changing financial landscape as an opportunity for players to secure their market value.

Judge, now 32, remains in his prime and under contract through his age-37 season. While his deal may appear less lucrative compared to more recent contracts, it still places him among baseball’s highest earners through 2031.

For the Yankees, who begin their quest for a 28th World Series championship this month, Judge’s relative bargain contract stands as perhaps their most valuable asset — a reality that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Harper and other stars around the league.

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