New York Yankees

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the second inning in game five of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2022 in New York, New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Judge’s chambers are open for business once again in the Bronx.

Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees agreed to a nine-year $360 million contract that will pay the slugger $40 million a season. The signing ends a wild free agency where Judge flirted seriously with the San Francisco Giants before settling on a return to the Yankees.

And why not return? Judge is coming off a record breaking season where he crushed 62 home runs to become the American League and Yankees single seaons record holder for homers. The home runs combined with a .311/.425/.686 slash line earned him MVP homers.

Judge took the gamble on himself when he rejected the Yankees initial offer last spring of seven years at $213.5 million. It was a worthwhile gamble by the slugger.

Now the focus for New York shifts to other needs, namely starting rotation and bullpen. The Yankees already added reliever Tommy Khanle back into the mix on a two-year deal.

Of course, social media was abuzz over the news about Judge.