NEW YORK — It came down to Aaron Judge once again, a situation that the Yankees have steered into all summer long. Assuming the familiar, imposing stance that cracked an American League-record 62 home runs during the regular season, the game’s most recognizable slugger was the team’s last hope of staving off winter for another evening.
But the clock had already struck midnight in New York, and soon it would too for the 2022 Yankees. Judge’s mighty cut produced only a routine tapper back to pitcher Ryan Pressly, who jogged the ball to first base with an underhand flip, the final out of the Astros’ 6-5 victory over the Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.
Judge jogged down the baseline, planted his right foot on first base, then glanced over his left shoulder as the Astros began to celebrate on the field — his field. Though technically it wasn’t anymore: for the first time in his professional career, Judge will be untethered, testing the waters of free agency, and there is a chance that it marked his final at-bat in a Yankees uniform.
“Getting a chance to wear the pinstripes and play right field at Yankee Stadium, that’s an incredible honor,” Judge said. “I definitely didn’t take it for granted at any point. I always checked myself pregame when I’d say a little prayer, I’d kind of look around the stadium and pinch myself. There’s very few individuals who get a chance to run on that field and play in front of the fans.”
It was, as general manager Brian Cashman has said, “the all-time best bet.” Judge turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million extension from the Yankees on Opening Day, responding with a season for the ages. In 157 games, Judge batted .311/.425/.686, leading the Majors in homers, runs (133), RBIs (131), slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS+ (211) and total bases (391).
His chase to shatter Roger Maris’ 61-year-old AL record for home runs in a single season captivated the sports world, culminating with a 62nd home run in the first game of an Oct. 4 doubleheader at Texas.
Yet the postseason did not go swimmingly for Judge, perhaps gassed by the grueling chase for the mark, though he’d never admit it. In nine postseason games, Judge hit .139 (5-for-36) with two homers and three RBIs, going hitless with a walk in the ALCS finale.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Judge’s 2022 season was “incredible,” adding that Judge is “someone that I’ve grown close with and just admire and respect and hopefully, we’ll see him in pinstripes for a long time. I don’t even want to think about the alternative right now.”
It is not immediately clear what Judge will seek in free agency, though it’s notable that Gerrit Cole is currently the club’s highest-paid player at $36 million per year; Judge will certainly seek north of that (Mike Trout is the highest-paid position player in terms of average annual value at $35.5 million), and Judge could potentially look to exceed Max Scherzer’s AAV record of $43.3 million.
“Whatever he gets is going to be astronomical, and he deserves it,” Anthony Rizzo said. “He bet on himself on the biggest stage, in the biggest market and did it with ease. He should be rewarded as the highest-paid player in the game. He’s the new gold standard, in my opinion.”
Judge said that he plans to take some time to discuss his pending free agency with his agent, Page Odle, and his family. Judge said that he has spoken with Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole about their respective contract pursuits.
“I haven’t even thought about the next step yet,” Judge said. “We’ve got time to figure it out. I’ve never been in this spot before.”
“It was a special time,” Judge said. “I just kick myself for not bringing home that championship.”