By Paul Semendinger
August 15, 2024
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MY THOUGHTS - This is a "take" that I see as ridiculous. Aaron Judge is the highest paid player on the Yankees. He deserves his contract. Aaron Judge is the best player in baseball today. He is the Yankees captain. He is becoming an all-time great. All of that is true. 100%.
But, what is also true is the fact that he does not have to be the highest paid Yankee in 2025 or ever. When he signed his contract, he was the highest paid Yankee. He remained the highest paid Yankee for two years. But, when one signs a big contract, he has to know that the time will come when another player, sometimes even on his own team, will out earn him. That is how this works.
If the Yankees do not resign Juan Soto because Aaron Judge must remain the highest paid Yankee, that is a problem. That would be a huge problem. A leader does not let his own ego get in the way of improving the team. If Judge were to insist on being paid higher than Soto, that would be a huge problem and it would reflect poorly on him as a leader and as someone who wants to win.
For the record, I think Boomer Esiason is way off on this. I can't see Aaron Judge letting his ego get in the way of the Yankees signing Soto. Or, said differently, since I do not know Aaron Judge, I sure hope he doesn't.
As I recall, during all his great years, Tom Brady was never the highest paid quarterback in football. Brady took less money to allow the team to build winners. That's what a leader does. And that is what I hope Aaron Judge does as well.
MY THOUGHTS - This is amazing, fun, and wonderful. I LOVE this.
We have had the true gift of watching Aaron Judge in his prime. He is an absoutely amazing baseball player. As noted, many times, he is starting to enter the conversation as one of the greatest players of all time. His peak, right now, is already in elite territory.
MY THOUGHTS - That is simply great.
"And they need a new stadium too. Hilltop Park is a mess!"
MY THOUGHTS - It is not out of the questions, at all, that one year from today, Aaron Judge could be fourth on that list.
MY THOUGHTS - Please refrain from PED comments regarding the above and just enjoy this for a look into the way pitchers and batters, two of the best in the game's history, think about their roles.
MY THOUGHTS - Is Austin Wells going to be the Rookie of the Year?
MY THOUGHTS - Wow. That is truly amazing. It seems that there is a method the Yankees are teaching on the farm.
MY THOUGHTS - I love finding classic baseball photos I have never seen before. Two great catchers here. Yogi won three MVP Awards. Campanella also won three! In 1951 and 1955 they were both the MVP.
Apparently, Jose Trevino is back tomorrow as Carlos Narvaez was sent back down to SWB today.
Aaron Judge is one of the most selfless, team oriented TEAM PLAYERS in the game today. He cares way more about his teammates and what they accomplish than he does his own accomplishments. When interviewed after a game as the "Star Of The Game", he NEVER speaks about his own accomplishment that game. He uses his post game interview to praise one or more of his teammates and how well THEY performed in the game. Nothing about himself. I remember as a young rookie, as Meredith was interviewing Judge after one of his many "multi-homer" games as the "Star Of The Game", Judge said…
I'm with you Paul, no way Judge has a hissy fit if Soto makes more then him. Having said that, resigning him is still 50/50, at best. One bright spot, I think the reason why Dominguez and Jones were off limits at trade deadline is because they know that if they do sign Soto, they will need bargain basement players at other positions. I'd say Rizzo (50/50 right now), Verdugo, Grisham, Holmes & Torres, are all gone if Soto stays, So a lot will come off the books (plus they still pay Donaldson $6mm this year).
On the flip side, there will be free agents or trade deals they will balk at because of the added and massive contract Sot…
Pay no attention to "Norman".... he's a talking head who often times has to pull his head out his ...... to breathe in some oxygen!
there is not a solitary reason on Earth why grown-ups should pay any attention to the noisome opining of the knuckleheads selling cornflakes on sports talk radio