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Aug 31, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) draws a walk against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

MLB insider projects what Yankees, Mets must pay to keep Aaron Judge, Jacob deGrom

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 9/14/22

The New York Yankees and New York Mets will have to pay up in a major way this winter to keep homegrown superstars Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom. One MLB insider recently gave some insight on what the final bill might be for the impending free agents.

The Yankees and Mets have been two of the best teams in baseball in 2022. While both have struggled a bit lately, they are still viewed as strong contenders to reach the World Series in late October. Two players that will factor into their chances to bring a championship back to New York this year are Judge and DeGrom. Two men that are set to bank big bucks as free agents this winter.

When it comes to Judge, he couldn’t have hit the open market at a better time. After passing on a contract extension offer below his market value in the spring, the 30-year-old is having the best year of his career as he closes in on surpassing the legendary organization’s single-season home run record of 60 and is a favorite to win the American League MVP award. He has given the Yankees many reasons to regret not offering him a better contract months ago because they will have to give him a historic deal to keep him in the Bronx after this season.

New York Yankees will need to give Aaron Judge at least $300 million to keep him

But what is the amount of money New York will have to fork over to the superstar outfielder? On Wednesday, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan offered up a price range for the Yankees to retain their top player.

“He has stolen 16 bases. He is everything a team wants, and if the only ding is his age at 30, then that is the most benign of warts. He will get $300 million-plus this winter. Question is, will the New York Yankees be the ones to give it to him?

Aaron Judge stats (2022): .310/.414/.692, 57 HR, 123 RBI, 116 R, 16 SB

Four players have contracts worth $300 million or more currently. One of them is Judge’s teammate Gerrit Cole. Most of those deals are for nine years or more. Chances are the Yankees would like to hold steady around six or seven years, which means Judge will make a league recond amount annually that could near $50 million.

New York Mets could have two players making over $43 million next season

As for two-time Cy Young Award winner deGrom, he has come back from the injury that kept him out for over half of the season and returned right back to elite form. Despite taking a rare loss on Tuesday, he tied the MLB record for consecutive games of giving up three runs or less. While there are certainly concerns about his health going forward at 34, and with a long history of arm issues, when healthy he is the best pitcher in baseball.

Jacob deGrom stats (2022): 5-2, 2.01 ERA, 0.568 WHIP, 73 SO, 49.1 IP

With ace pitchers at a premium, Mets owner Steve Cohen will need to give the four-time All-Star an absurd amount to keep him in Flushing for the rest of his career. Passan believes the organization will need to surpass the record amount they gave free agent Max Scherzer last winter to keep their homegrown ace. Meaning they would have two players on the roster making well over $40 million per year.

“There is an argument to be made that this version of deGrom, 34, belongs in the pantheon of all-time greats. When he pitches, he is that much better than everyone else. And though concerns about his ability to do so long-term persist, deGrom, if he stays healthy through the end of the season, almost assuredly will break Max Scherzer’s annual-salary record of $43.3 million.”

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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