Who is the highest-paid player on the New York Yankees roster?

Entering next season, the New York Yankees will have an estimated payroll of $310 million, making them the second-most expensive team in 2023. While this pales in comparison to Steve Cohen's New York Mets, who shattered records across the board with their free agent spending, it places them well above the league average.

Entering the offseason, the Yankees had a few important roster issues that they needed to address. However, the main goal for the Bronx Bombers was to re-sign reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge to a long-term contract.

"Aaron Judge talked about how free agency was stressful, but in the end, returning to the Yankees was a "no-brainer"" - ESPN

They indeed accomplished their goal when Judge and the New York Yankees reached a historic agreement for $360 million over nine years. The new contract will see Judge become the highest-paid position player of all time, as he is set to make $40 million per season with the Bronx Bombers.

The contract extension also makes Judge the highest-paid player on the New York Yankees this coming campaign. His $40 million annual salary is $4 million more than the Yankees ace, Gerrit Cole. The veteran pitcher is set to make $36 million next season as he will help lead the pinstripes to their first World Series title since 2009.

Cole will not be on his own in this mission, as the Yankees brought in former San Francisco Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon in free agency on a six-year, $162 million deal. Rodon and New York's mutual interests have been swirling since the beginning of free agency, with both parties eventually finding common ground and agreeing to a deal.

"#SpringTraining preparation plans for Carlos Rodón following a stellar 2022? More of the same. @Yankees | @LaurenShehadi | @Plakata | #MLBTonight" - MLB Network

Rodon will get to face his former team on March 30, as the New York Yankees welcome the San Francisco Giants to the Bronx.

A look at the 2022 season of Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees' highest-paid player

En route to a 99-63 season, New York secured the American League East title with relative ease, finishing the season 7.0 games ahead of the second-placed Toronto Blue Jays.

The team's success can be directly attributed to Aaron Judge's historic season. Judge finished the season with an abundance of new career-high statistics. He set new highs in home runs (62), RBIs (131), walks (111), runs (133), and games played (157). He also set new career highs in OBP (.425), slugging percentage (.686), and total bases (391).