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Michael Kay’s bold Aaron Judge contract prediction feels ominous for Yankees

Thomas Carannante|
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees warms up on deck during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 13, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees warms up on deck during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox on September 13, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

It’s upsetting that Aaron Judge being on pace for a record-setting season has partially been interrupted by his impending free agency, as well as the New York Yankees’ epic slide since the All-Star break, but how about a break from all that?

Just kidding! Never a break from that! Expect the rumors to get uglier and more unpleasant until Judge signs on the dotted line in the next few months.

Back before Opening Day, the Yankees offered Judge a seven-year, $213.5 million extension (because, yeah, how about an extra $500K for your troubles!) and the slugger declined. At the time, admittedly a fair offer based on Judge’s ability to stay on the field and the fact he was entering his age-30 season.

Now? The price has gone up each and every day since. Judge is on pace to break Roger Maris’ home run record and should win the AL MVP award. He’s clearly the best offensive player in baseball and it’s not even close.

What’ll that cost the Yankees? We don’t know. How far are they willing to go? We also don’t know. But Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay believes they need to go $100 million over their last offer.

Michael Kay’s contract prediction for Aaron Judge feels ominous for Yankees

Imagine seven years and $313.5 million?! That’s almost $45 million per year! You’d have to imagine Kay is suggesting the Yankees would tack on a few more years, though.

Shortly after news broke that Judge wouldn’t be signing the Yankees’ offer, rumors circulated that his camp had asked for a 10-year, $360 million contract. Again, nobody knows if that’s true, but if it is, the Yankees, if strong-armed, probably are staring down the barrel of coming closer to that number than theirs.

Maybe general manager Brian Cashman could’ve avoided all of this by throwing another $50 million Judge’s way a few months ago. Now, you have one of the most dialed-in Yankees personalities thinking it’ll be double that.

At this point, is it crazy if Judge exceeds Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million figure? Doesn’t really feel like it! And that’s another problem the Yankees have. Judge is, at this point, undoubtedly worth more than Stanton ($325 million) and Gerrit Cole ($324 million). Will Hal Steinbrenner be willing to add another $300 million contract to the books without getting rid of another? Don’t forget about the many other roster needs that will come post-World Series.

Our suggestion? Just enjoy the ride while Judge is still here. We’ve got a month left.

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