Is Michael Kay correct? Probably not. He says some crazy shit all the time. But, If there is even some accuracy to this, The Empire is falling. If The Yankees do not give him the money, the fans will want Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashmans heads on a stick. Especially after just watching The Red Sox do this with Mookie Betts. So, where would Judge go?
There are two teams that I believe would make the $36M+ a year if The Yankees do not. Both teams would KILL Yankee fans to see. The Boston Red Sox and The New York Mets. Aaron Judge grew up a Red Sox fan and there is a chance he takes a slight pay cut to say fuck you to The Yankees and go play for enemy number 1. Now for my thoughts on him potentially going to The Mets. Uncle Stevie is a 15 billion dollar man who has spent his entire life in the shadow of The Yankees. Outbidding The New York Yankees on someone who could be the reigning AL MVP would be one of the biggest fuck yous to every owner who tried to keep him out and instituted a tax bracket just for him. Uncle Stevie bringing in Judge on a $40M/9 year deal would be equivalent to Luke Skywalker blowing up the Death Star. It would literally blow up The Evil Empire.
I will double down on the thought that The Yankees will probably pay him though. BUUUUUT Hal is not George and he looks at the team like a business and is only trying to make money, so paying him could hinder the teams long-term success. With the contract also being in the 8 year range, Judge will be in his late 30s – could even be 40. What I imagine them doing is keeping this huge human who can hardly move around – likely batting 4th – because he’s the captain and the fans love him. The Yankees have been making very Metsy moves, so I would not be surprised at all if this is what ends up happening over the next 8ish years.
A Fan With A Mic 