There goes the Judge

[Peter_Spaeth]

Unusual career thus far, with almost half his WAR coming in just those two epic seasons.

[mrreality68]

All The ability but potentially Availability.

Regardless of injury plagued or accidents like this injury

He is an amazing player on both sides of the ball when healthy but people are right to many years that are not full years and this could derail his overall career from how amazing it could be.

Shame the year of his big contract, his year of becoming Team Captain, The year he started with and it is slowly flushing away.

[packs]

I'm just wondering what other choice the Yankees had? I understand the critics when it comes to length of the contract and age, but at the same time how else could things have gone with his contract?

The Yankees couldn't possibly not sign him. The fans would have eaten them alive and the team would also obviously be much worse off.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by packs

I'm just wondering what other choice the Yankees had? I understand the critics when it comes to length of the contract and age, but at the same time how else could things have gone with his contract?

The Yankees couldn't possibly not sign him. The fans would have eaten them alive and the team would also obviously be much worse off.

Agree, sometimes you just have to re-sign your own players, even though you think its not the smartest move, like the Nats did with Strasburg.

[D. Bergin]

Yanks could have got him much cheaper if they were more aggressive re-signing him a year earlier...but how were they to know he'd have an injury free year, hit 62 HR's and win MVP going away.

They had to take this one on the chin.

Don't worry guys. Hal S. will be just fine. He's got enough Wonder Bread stocked up in his pantry to get through the next two winters...at least.

[packs]

I just feel like the criticisms are out of whack. Judge hit 62 homers and his OPS+ was 212. He was twice as good as the average player in the league.

Even if he put up those numbers again once during the lifetime of his contract, who else in the league is capable of doing that at all?

You can't fault the Yankees for signing him or the price they paid to do it. There wasn't really an alternative for the fan base and there are only a few select players in his class when he's on the field.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by packs

I just feel like the criticisms are out of whack. Judge hit 62 homers and his OPS+ was 212. He was twice as good as the average player in the league.

Even if he put up those numbers again once during the lifetime of his contract, who else in the league is capable of doing that at all?

You can't fault the Yankees for signing him or the price they paid to do it. There wasn't really an alternative for the fan base and there are only a few select players in his class when he's on the field.

Because it seems unlikely he will do it again, is 31 and routinely out of the lineup and he is getting $360,000,000. People can absolutely fault the Yankees for signing a guy who does not project to age well (big men rarely do) to a titanic contract. You can do a lot with $360,000,000. I get that the Yankees chose to do the PR move and pay Judge's price after he broke the hallowed Yankee record, but there is very real and obvious downside look here.

[packs]

Originally Posted by G1911

Because it seems unlikely he will do it again, is 31 and routinely out of the lineup and he is getting $360,000,000. People can absolutely fault the Yankees for signing a guy who does not project to age well (big men rarely do) to a titanic contract. You can do a lot with $360,000,000. I get that the Yankees chose to do the PR move and pay Judge's price after he broke the hallowed Yankee record, but there is very real and obvious downside look here.

I'm not sure it's that unlikely. He did have a OPS+ of 195 before his toe injury. He doesn't have spinal stenosis or some other degenerative issue. He doesn't have the hip problem A-Rod did. He doesn't have the wrist problem other power hitters have had. He hurt his toe this time. It's not like that's a typical big man injury. Sometimes things just happen.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by packs

I just feel like the criticisms are out of whack. Judge hit 62 homers and his OPS+ was 212. He was twice as good as the average player in the league.

Even if he put up those numbers again once during the lifetime of his contract, who else in the league is capable of doing that at all?

You can't fault the Yankees for signing him or the price they paid to do it. There wasn't really an alternative for the fan base and there are only a few select players in his class when he's on the field.

The Yankees were damned if they did, damned if they didn't, when it came to deciding whether or not to sign Judge.

People throw around the amount of money he got, it's a staggering amount for sure. But the Yankees as a sports franchise are worth something like 7 Billion dollars? They're a global brand, at this point. Money is really no option. I don't think anyone can deny the talent Judge has, and when he's healthy he delivers.

I also agree, these are freak injuries. It's not like he has some reccuring chronic injury, it's not some form of condition. The guy hustled to make an incredible play, crashed into a wall and got hurt. We always talk about wanting to see players give there all, well he did, and this is what happened.

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by packs

I just feel like the criticisms are out of whack. Judge hit 62 homers and his OPS+ was 212. He was twice as good as the average player in the league.

As someone else put it, Aaron hustled with all his might to get that ball in LA, and got it! In more ways than one, unfortunately. I've read Dodger management is going to take care of that short, but deadly, concrete embankment. Freak injury, but he wasn't showboating or lolly-gagging around out there.

Now here come some snarky comments, a la "I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN!"

I am just very proud of the Yankee organization for taking all the time that is necessary for Aaron to recovery properly. Remember too, he carries 282 pounds on those toes of his, a lot more than your average athlete. It WILL take awhile, like it or not. The Yanks gotta take care of their investment, regardless if he's out for the rest of 2023.

Big deal, compared to rushing him, coaxing him, or browbeating him into just being the DH.

Remember what happened to the great Dizzy Dean during and after the 1937 All-Star Game? Sadly, 'nuf said.

When Aaron Judge recovers completely, and is able to don the pinstripes once again, and do what he does so well, that will be a great day for him, and the rest of us.

Until then, keep him in your prayers. ---Brian Powell