Aaron Judge and Yankees agree to $19M deal, avoid hearing

Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees prevented an arbitration hearing Friday by agreeing to a $19 million, one-year contract, a deal that leaves the slugger on monitor to develop into a free agent after the World Series.

Unable to agree to a long-term deal in talks that ended on opening day, the edges cut up the distinction between the proposed arbitration figures they exchanged on March 22: $21 million by Judge and $17 million by the Yankees.

Judge could make an extra $500,000 in award bonuses: $250,000 for MVP and $250,000 for World Series MVP.

The slugging outfielder is within the midst of maybe his finest season, batting .304 with a significant league-leading 27 homers and 53 RBIs in 68 video games. On monitor for his fourth All-Star choice in seven massive league seasons, he hit a game-winning single throughout Thursday night time’s 7-6 come-from-behind victory over defending AL champion Houston.

Judge has helped energy the Yankees to a significant league-best 52-18 report, New York’s finest via 70 video games since 1939 and the perfect amongst all big-league groups for the reason that 2001 Seattle Mariners. He additionally has shifted from proper area to develop into the Yankees’ major heart fielder.

A deal got here collectively earlier than the scheduled midday begin of a Zoom hearing earlier than a three-person panel.

No statistics or proof from after March 1 had been admissible aside from contract and wage comparisons, timing set when Major League Baseball and the gamers’ affiliation agreed to the deal that ended the lockout.

Judge batted .287 with 39 homers and 98 RBIs final season.

Reporting by the Associated Press