I don’t think the answer is obvious on this one. On the one hand, if Judge had signed a long-term deal before the season started, would he have played with the same level of intensity? Would he have been as motivated? Would he have felt pressure to justify the big contract? More likely to pace himself and take some games off?
As he is playing now for his next contract, he obviously took a huge risk. He could have had a season like Stanton’s (.210) with injuries and an inability to get on base. Or Judge could have had a more typical season with lots of strikeouts and the inevitable trip to the Injury List for a couple of months. Given his numbers this year, it’s all the more impressive as he is basically putting his career year together at the perfect time in his walk year. Most players would have fallen short, gotten distracted with all of the questions about his contract and probably under-performed. Judge is on the verge of winning the Triple Crown which is almost as remarkable an achievement as passing Roger Maris in home runs. No doubt (assuming he doesn’t fail a drug test) he will be viewed as the true, legitimate single season home run leader given that McGwire, Bonds and Sosa are all tainted by PEDs.
You have to figure the Yankees will do whatever it takes to keep Judge. And the likelihood is that his future years will involve some injuries as that has been his M.O. for most of his career. And of course, the long-term deals always end badly for the last few years. But Judge is the face of the franchise, always does the right thing, respects the game and his teammates as well as the opposition. And who knows? Maybe the home plate umpires will even figure out that the low strike calls below his knees are actually balls.
Judge’s numbers in a year when the average batting average is .242 is amazing given that he is a slugger. And by the way, he IS the MVP. The Yankees are a middle of the pack team without Judge in the AL East this year.
Frankie Montas to the IL. Thank goodness. Not a New York kind of performer. No need to put him on the post-season roster. Harrison Bader with 2 hits and 3 rbis in his first game with the Yankees. A week’s worth of production for Hicks. You have to hope Stanton’s grand slam will finally get him going now. He is huge for their post-season chances. Yankee bullpen is gassed due to so many 5-inning starts by the starters. Just too much usage. Chapman looked surprisingly good last night; he may be ready to take back the closer role.
Roger Federer says good bye this weekend playing one last doubles match Friday night – most likely with Nadal. Pretty cool.
Will Judge be a $300 million man this off season?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
No question Judge gets $300 million. I wouldn’t pay it with my money but a few teams, including the Yankees will. He gambled and he won with the best season I’ve ever witnessed and he remained healthy. Whoever signs him will be paying for this season and will have to accept that maybe they get 5 productive seasons and then a decline. I see 8 years at $320 million, which really equates to 5 productive years at $50 million and last 3 years at $25 million (it wont be structured that way, but that’s the value proposition). I just hope it doesn’t become thePujols deal with the Angels where he falls off after one or two seasons. Also I have been in the Ohtani for MVP camp since in IMHO, you can’t vote against a top 10 hitter who is also a top 5 starting pitcher. However, breaking Maris’s record and winning a triple crown (or coming very close) plus single-handedly carrying the Yankees to first place has swayed me to believe he has to be MVP this year. Ohtani will win many others.
Bob, I think your math is correct. That is the best to hope for with long term deals in baseball. Pujols is a great example of what can happen. A-Rod same thing. Robinson Cano? Well he was PED powered clearly. Even Jeter finally slowed down at the end although he was productive for most of his deal.
I believe Judge is one of those unique people who would always give 100% whatever he comes away with. Obviously, a 10 year deal for over $300mm would be a bargain. for the Yanks. I’m not afraid at giving a supoerstar a contract anymore when he ends at 40. Most likley he will get an 8 year contract also for $300m plus . Besdies the stats he should be named Captain. His demeanor on the field and off the field and the way he hustles, etc. etc his draw to the stadium is quite high. I can see him hovering around a 300 batting average for the next 6 years….45-62 homers too….110-125 rbi’s too. Don’t forget those stolen bases. He’s closing in on 20 this season.
Now if LaMiehu can return we have a chance to make it past Houston… otherwsie not. BTW… who the heck is our GO TO Closer now-a-days?
Hmmm, a tad ambitious there for 6 years of .300? I think I would sign up for .280 and be quite happy. For Judge, it’s always about his health. The effort, demeanor and face of the franchise are a constant.
Any stumbling blocks re his contract will not be with regard to the annual salary- just the length of the contract. Would the Yankees balk at 10 years?