"Aaron Judge could be in the 50-50 club easily, but they don't want him hurt" - Jose Canseco blames $40M/year contract for holding back Yankees star

On Thursday, Oakland Athletics legend Jose Canseco talked about Shohei Ohtani's exceptional 2024 season, and how Aaron Judge is capable of going toe to toe with the Japanese international. Shohei Ohtani reached the extraordinary feat of being the first player in MLB history to have a 50-50 season, after three home runs and two stolen bases in his team's victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday.

Jose spent nine of his 17 years in the big leagues representing the Oakland Athletics. He had a highly decorated and controversial career, as he was a six-time All-Star, two-time World Series winner, four-time Silver Slugger award winner, and also won the AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP awards, among others.

Canseco was the first player to record a 40-40 season, accomplishing the feat in 1988 with 42 homers and 40 stolen bases.

Speaking to Kristina Rutherford of Sportsnet, Jose talked about how Judge could complement his home run numbers with plenty of stolen bases if the New York Yankees allowed him to.

"People don’t know this about Aaron Judge but he’s extremely fast. He could be in the 50-50 club easily. But he’s got a huge contract, they don't want him hurt, so he doesn’t steal bases. He’s 6-foot-7, 280 pounds, but could Aaron Judge in today's structure steal 50? Easily." Jose claimed.

"That’s a given. For me, Aaron Judge could easily do a 50-50 back-to-back-to-back-to-back years. But of course, they’re not letting him run because they are protecting him." Canseco said.

Judge in action against the Toronto Blue Jays - Source: Getty

Jose hinted that the Yankees rather their captain refrain from stealing bases, to prevent any risk of injury. Signing Aaron to a nine-year $360 Million contract in 2020, amounting to approximately $40 Million a year, it is understandable that the Yankees would want to do whatever they can to ensure their superstar stays fit all season.

Aaron Judge drove in four as the Yankees got off to a winning start in Seattle

The New York Yankees recorded a comfortable 11-2 win against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday. The visitors raced off to a four-run lead in the series opener courtesy of their captain, as the 32-year-old drove in all four of his team's opening runs to set the tone for a comfortable victory.

The Yankees went on to clinch the series and a postseason berth with a close 2-1 win in game two before the hosts got one back with a win in the final game. Next, Aaron Judge and co. head to the Oakland Coliseum to take on Jose Canseco's former side for a three-game series that starts on Friday.