Aaron Judge Yankees contract: How much longer is NY captain expected to play for World Series 2024 runners-up?

In the first inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday, Aaron Judge took Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty 403 feet to right field to open up a 2-0 lead for the Dodgers. Despite the electric energy that it fomented in the Bronx, the Yankees were unable to keep the momentum going.

After fifth inning debacle that saw LA score five runs that began with an uncharacteristic error by Aaron Judge in center field. The error started a rally for LA, and the Yankees fell behind in the 8th inning, losing to the Dodgers 7-6.

"THE YANKEES ARE GOING TO LOSE THE WORLD SERIES BECAUSE OF ONE MAN AND ONE MAN ONLY - AARON JUDGE" - krabs bets

After his historic, 62-homer season of 2022, the New York Yankees penned Judge to a nine-year deal worth $360 million. With an annual average value of $40 million, the deal made the 6-foot-7 Calfornia native the highest-paid non-pitcher in MLB history.

Under the terms of the deal, Judge will earn $40 million until the end of the 2031 season, when a 39 year-old Judge will become a free agent. The deal shattered Alex Rodriguez' 2003 deal with the Texas Rangers for the biggest ever dished out to a position player.

"This is an exceptional catch from Aaron Judge in center field to rob Freddie Freeman." - Jeff Passan

Implicit in the 2022 deal was the understanding that Aaron Judge would lead the Yankees to the World Series. After the loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2022 AL MVP officially has at least seven more seasons in a Yankee uniform to hoist baseball's most esteemed trophy.

Aaron Judge shoulders tremendous guilt for World Series loss

Judge's fateful error in the fifth inning was his first all season long, and led to an inning that ultimately paved the way for a Dodgers win. After the game, a dejected Judge told SNY:

"I think falling short in the World Series will stick with me until I die, probably"

From Juan Soto to prospects within the organization, the Yankees have plenty of questions to answer this offseason. Unfortunately, Judge's lacklustre postseason has earned him the label of a postseason choke artist, despite having reached unimaginable milestones during his career. Now, all Yankees fans can do is hope that in the future, Judge will be the keystone of a team that brings the Yankees their 28th World Series home.