4. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, $11.842 million value; $684,000 salary
Judge is such a large, likable, and imposing Yankee who delivers such memorably imposing shots with such ease that it might be difficult to imagine him not generating exceptional value.
His 143 OPS+ confirms his credentials as an offensive force. Most of Judge’s normal counting stats – his 27 home runs and 55 RBIs – were byproducts of the injuries that held him down to 447 plate appearances in just 102 games. It’s the second season of three that Judge has been sidelined for as much as one-third of the full season.
His 5.4 WAR added up to $10.115 million in value, and the seven assists he accumulated – ninth best among all MLB right fielders – added another $763,000.
His injuries limited Judge to 775 innings, only the 23rd best, and worth just $964,000.
Judge enters the arbitration process this winter, when the cost to the Yankees of having him is guaranteed to go up – possibly dramatically. But even at the $5.9 million he is projected to be awarded, he’ll remain an exceptional value for the Yankees. Assuming his health, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Yankees offer Judge a longer and even more rewarding contract. The interesting decision, then, would be Judge’s; should he take it and tie himself up for multiple seasons?