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Yankees' Aaron Judge Named 2022 AP Male Athlete of the Year; Set AL Home Run Record
Dec 30, 2022
BRONX, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 21, 2022 in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was voted the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year on Friday after he set the American League home run record during the 2022 season.
Judge beat out Los Angeles Angels two-way standout Shohei Ohtani and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry for the honor. Ohtani won the award in 2021 and Curry won it in 2015.
"Wow. That's incredible," Judge said of his selection. "All these other great athletes that not only impacted the game and their sport, but also impacted their communities and the culture in the sports world and outside the sports world. So getting a chance to be amongst that list is an incredible honor."
The 30-year-old joins a group of winners that includes former Yankees Joe DiMaggio (1941), Mickey Mantle (1956) and Roger Maris (1961). Other MLB players to win the honor this millennium include Jose Altuve (2017), Madison Bumgarner (2014) and Barry Bonds (2001).
Judge had a phenomenal 2022 campaign, slashing .311/.425/.686 with 62 home runs and 131 RBI in 157 games. He earned his fourth All-Star selection, third Silver Slugger award and first AL MVP award.
Judge also led MLB in runs (133), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111), extra-base hits (90) and total bases (391). He tied for No. 1 in the majors with 131 RBI.
The California native became a free agent this winter, and there were questions about whether he would re-sign with the Yankees. After offers from several teams, including his hometown San Francisco Giants, Judge agreed to a nine-year, $360 million deal with the Pinstripes.
The Yankees went on to name him the 16th captain in franchise history and the first since Derek Jeter, who served as the club's captain from 1995 to 2014.
Judge has spent his entire seven-year career with the Yankees. While he has plenty of individual honors, his goal entering the 2023 campaign remains to win a World Series. With the Yankees' offseason additions, they'll be one of the teams to beat this season.
Yankees Rumors: Tyler Danish Agrees to Contract with NYY After Red Sox Tenure
Dec 29, 2022
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 30: Tyler Danish #60 of the Boston Red Sox throws the ball to first base against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 30, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Former Boston Red Sox right hander Tyler Danish is joining the club's biggest rival—the New York Yankees.
Danish and the Yankees agreed to a minor league deal on Thursday, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. He's getting an invite to the team's spring training camp, Heyman added.
A once-promising prospect, Danish was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 2013 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2016 and spent three seasons with the the White Sox as a reliever.
In his 11 appearances for the White Sox between 2016-2018, Danish posted a 4.85 ERA, 2.31 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 13 innings. He spent much of his time with the organization in the minor leagues.
Following the 2018 season, Danish signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. He was released in May 2019 after making just six appearances and posting a horrific 21.26 ERA with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Following his release from the Mariners organization, Danish spent time with multiple teams across various independent leagues between 2019 and 2021 before finding his way back into MLB's minor league system with the Los Angeles Angels in May 2021.
Danish received another opportunity in the big leagues in 2022, signing a minor league deal with the Red Sox that included an invitation to spring training. He cracked the 40-man roster before Opening Day and went on to make 32 appearances for Boston last season, posting a 5.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.
Now with the Yankees, Danish will get the opportunity to make the club's 2023 roster as a reliever out of spring training. He'd join a bullpen that includes Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga, Tommy Kahnle and Michael King, though it's unclear how much he'd be used.
Yankees Rumors: NY Among Teams to Contact Pirates About Bryan Reynolds Trade
Dec 22, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after hitting a home run in the seventh inning during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The New York Yankees could look at the trade market to continue to upgrade their roster after making their big moves in free agency.
Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Yankees are among the teams that have contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates to discuss a trade for Bryan Reynolds.
Morosi noted the Yankees could be at a disadvantage in trade talks for Reynolds because they don't have a lot of high-quality starting pitching in their system, and the Pirates prefer starters if they deal the 27-year-old outfielder.
With the Pirates mired in a perpetual state of rebuilding, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Dec. 3 that Reynolds requested a trade.
Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network, the Pirates offered Reynolds a contract extension that would have made him the highest-paid player in team history.
It's not a high bar to clear. Ke'Bryan Hayes' eight-year, $70 million extension signed in April is the richest deal the Pirates have ever given out, and it pales in comparison to how much money players have commanded in free agency this offseason
Hayes signed his extension when he was five years away from free agency. Reynolds is under team control for three more years before hitting free agency after the 2025 season.
The Pirates said in a statement that Reynolds' trade request will have "zero impact" on their decision-making process and that they "look forward to him having a great season for the Pirates."
Using MLB.com's rankings for the 2022 season, the Yankees' top seven prospects are all position players. Right-hander Will Warren is the top pitcher in the system, but he faces questions about his viability as a starter because of the quality of his secondary stuff.
The Yankees addressed two big problems in free agency. They retained reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge by signing him to a nine-year, $360 million contract, and they added Carlos Rodón to their starting rotation on a six-year, $162 million deal.
Outfield depth is still a question mark in the Bronx. Harrison Bader is a good defensive center fielder, but he only hit .250/.294/.356 in 86 games between the Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals in 2022.
Reynolds has become one of the best offensive center fielders in baseball since making his MLB debut in 2019. He ranks fifth among players at the position in FanGraphs' wins above replacement (12.5) over the past four seasons. Mike Trout, George Springer, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Starling Marte are the only players ahead of him.
In 493 career games, Reynolds owns a .281/.361/.481 slash line with 74 homers and 239 RBI.
Yankees Star Aaron Judge's 62nd Home Run Ball Sells for $1.5M at Auction
Dec 18, 2022
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 04: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits his 62nd home run of the season, breaking the American League home run record against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)
New York Yankees star Aaron Judge's 62nd home run ball sold at auction for $1.5 million.
Goldin Auctions sold the ball on Saturday night, with six total bids coming in. The initial price tag was set at $1 million when the listing opened on Nov. 29, with each bid increasing by $50,000 before the winner was determined.
Judge broke Roger Maris' 61-year-old American League record with his final homer of the regular season on Oct. 4 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers.
Corey Youmans, the fan who caught the ball, initially said he hadn't thought about what he would do with it.
Judge was asked about potentially getting the ball for his own personal collection after the game.
"I don't know where it's at, so we'll see what happens with that," the Yankees slugger told reporters. "It'd be great to get it back, but that's a souvenir for a fan, so, you know, they made a great catch out there, and they've got every right to it."
Even though Youmans did make out well in this auction, he may regret not selling the ball earlier. He told ESPN's Jeff Passan someone offered him $3 million for the piece of Major League Baseball history.
"It seems fair in the sense it gives anyone that is interested and has the means the opportunity to own it," Youmans explained to Passan. "As a fan, I'm curious to see what it's worth, who buys it and what they do with it."
Judge became the first MLB player to hit at least 60 homers in a season since Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in 2001. The 30-year-old was named AL MVP for his historic performance in 2022.
Yankees Rumors: Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade Buzz with Padres Called 'Total BS'
Dec 16, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres bats against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the six inning at Oracle Park on October 02, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres denied rumors of a potential Fernando Tatis Jr. trade, saying it was "total BS" that the New York Yankees were calling about the shortstop, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Thursday.
ESPN's Buster Olney began the speculation Dec. 9 when he said on 95.7 The Game that the Yankees were "working on something big," apparently in reference to free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa.
On Monday, WFAN's Tiki and Tierney brought up the idea of Tatis joining the Yankees in a trade.
Last week, San Diego added another big-time shortstop in Xander Boegarts on an 11-year, $280 million deal, fueling the buzz that Tatis could be on his way out. The Padres, however, reportedly plan to keep the 2021 National League All-Star on their roster.
Jack Curry of YES Network also reported a Tatis trade was not ever considered by the Yankees:
The Yankees would certainly love to add someone of Tatis' ability as they try to get over the top as a World Series contender.
Tatis finished in the top five of NL MVP voting in 2020 and 2021 and earned a Silver Slugger Award both years. In 2021, he led the NL with 42 home runs to go with 25 stolen bases and a .975 OPS.
He would be a significant upgrade over Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who hit four home runs with a .642 OPS last season.
Even with his talent, San Diego could look to move on from Tatis after he missed 2022. The 23-year-old suffered a broken wrist in the offseason and then was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Several teammates voiced their displeasure with Tatis following the suspension.
The addition of Bogaerts could give the team a replacement at the position if it deals Tatis.
However, it seems the Padres want to stick with the young star and build a lasting contender.
Yankees' Updated Rotation, Payroll After Carlos Rodón's Reported $162M Contract
Dec 16, 2022
San Francisco Giants' Carlos Rodon pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The New York Yankees bolstered their starting rotation Thursday by signing left-hander Carlos Rodón, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Rodón's new contract will reportedly earn him $162 million over six years and includes a full no-trade clause. USA Today's Bob Nightengale provided a contract breakdown, noting that Rodón will receive $22 million in 2023 as well as a $5 million signing bonus:
Carlos Rodon $162 million contract breakdown: $5 million signing bonus. 2023: $22 million. 2024: $27 million 2025: $27 million 2026: $27 million 2027: $27 million 2028: $27 million Full no-trade
The addition of Rodón brings New York's projected total payroll to $247.2 million, per Spotrac.
The 30-year-old joins a star-studded rotation that includes Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino and Frankie Montas. With Rodón added to the mix, the Yankees' starting pitching staff has the chance to be among the best in the American League.
Rodón will likely be inserted as the No. 2 starter behind Cole, who led the majors and set a franchise record with 257 strikeouts last season. Rodón wasn't too far behind with 237 strikeouts, giving New York a lethal one-two combination.
Carlos Rodón joins the Yankees on a 6-year, $162 million contract.
Rodón finished last season with 237 strikeouts, which trailed only his now teammate Gerrit Cole (257), & Corbin Burnes (243).
His 11 double-digit strikeout games were the most in a season in Giants history. pic.twitter.com/e5VIzZRuaw
An All-Star in each of the least two seasons, Rodón notched a 2.88 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in 178 innings on his way to a 14-8 record in 2022. He appears to have fully recovered from his 2019 Tommy John surgery to become one of the most consistent pitchers in MLB.
The Yankees rotation was dominated by right-handers last season, with 2022 All-Star Cortes as the team's only southpaw. Rodón gives New York another lefty hurler, which will surely pay off come playoff time.
With multiple pitchers who have ace potential, the Yankees have increased their chances at making it back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Twitter Touts Yankees' 'Stacked as Hell' Rotation After Carlos Rodon's $162M Contract
Dec 16, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Carlos Rodon #16 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Oracle Park on September 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees are going to have one of the best rotations in baseball in 2023.
The Yankees signed free-agent pitcher Carlos Rodón to a six-year, $162 million contract, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday. He joins a rotation that already included Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Luis Severino.
Rodón, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Chicago White Sox, had a breakout campaign in 2021. He went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 185 strikeouts in 132.2 innings across 24 starts en route to his first All-Star Game selection.
He signed with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2022 season and earned his second straight All-Star Game selection after going 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 237 strikeouts in 178 innings across 31 starts.
Rodón will be expected to replicate that success in Pinstripes in 2023 and beyond as the Yankees hope to win their first World Series title in more than a decade.
MLB Twitter is already hyped about the signing and the Yankees' "stacked" 2023 rotation:
The Yankees starting rotation is stacked as hell. I love it. They told us they were gonna make moves this winter and they’re doing it. They’re not done either.
It was always just a matter of time. Yankees had their sights on Rodon since day one and did not want to go past six years.
On paper, this gives the Yankees one of the best rotation in history. A long way to go but doesn’t get much better than Cole-Rodon-Sevy-Nestor-Montas https://t.co/NePD6wbr6i
The Yankees have been one of the best teams in baseball for a while now, but they have been lacking the extra piece to get them over the hump and into the World Series. Could Rodón be the missing piece to the puzzle?
Only time will tell.
Yankees Trade Rumors: NY 'Unable to Find Takers' for Aaron Hicks, Josh Donaldson
Dec 16, 2022
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 14: Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Josh Donaldson #28 after scoring a run against the Boston Red Sox the fifth inning at Fenway Park on September 14, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees accomplished what was surely their top goal of the offseason when they brought back Aaron Judge, but they are reportedly striking out in trade efforts regarding Aaron Hicks and Josh Donaldson.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Bronx Bombers "have been unable to find takers" for either player.
Heyman noted "Donaldson's presence and pay were one reason Carlos Correa couldn't work for them."
Correa agreed to a 13-year, $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, the richest contract for a shortstop in MLB history. That would have been quite the pact for the Yankees to put on top of the nine-year, $360 million deal they agreed to with Judge.
As for Donaldson, he is set to make $21 million in 2023, and his deal features a $6 million mutual option in 2024. He also made $21 million in each of the last three years.
While there was a time when he was one of the best sluggers in baseball, those days are behind him.
He slashed .222/.308/.374 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI last season. Those numbers are a far cry from when he was the American League MVP for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and slashed .297/.371/.568 with 41 home runs and 123 RBI.
Donaldson is also 37 years old and hit an abysmal .172 in the playoffs for the Yankees last season.
It seems like no teams are that interested in an aging player who was not particularly productive last season and is set to make a head-turning amount of money in 2023.
As for Hicks, his contract is more affordable at $10.5 million in 2023 before it drops to $9.5 million the next two years ahead of a $12.5 million club option in 2026. Yet that would be a longer commitment than the one to Donaldson, and any team trading for him couldn't tell its fans at least he has an MVP on his resume.
The 33-year-old Hicks, who has been injury-prone through his career, slashed .216/.330/.313 with eight home runs and 40 RBI last season after hitting just .194 in 2021.
