Luis Edu
New York Yankees is a team that has always spent big money on signings, and in this list, we will let you know who are the players with the best contracts heading into the 2022 Major League Baseball season.
DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu has become one of the Bronx best hitters since his arrival heading into the 2019 campaign, and currently has an annual base salary of $15 million.
The stellar infielder, who already knows what it is like to win the batting title in both leagues, suffered a considerable drop in his performance recently, but remains a key player in manager Aaron Boone’s lineup.
The 33-year-old veteran is coming off a .266 average and .349 OBP, with a total of 160 hits. On the positive side, he was able to stay healthy in the midst of a roster plagued by players with physical problems.
Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge is one of the most powerful hitters in the American League, and comes from being the Yankees’ main offensive figure in the recent campaign.
The stellar 30-year-old outfielder has an annual base salary of $17 million, hard-earned money after hitting 39 home runs in 2021.
Apparently, Judge has managed to overcome the injuries that complicated him in recent years. These are great news for the Yankees, who will once again have to battle hard in an American League West Division that has great rivals such as the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.
Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman has been the great reliever for the Bronx team since the retirement of legendary Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera.
The “Cuban missile” currently has an annual salary of US$18 million. Well-earned money, after recording 144 lifetime saves with the Yankees. However, in the recent campaign he went through some problems, which, if they continue, could cost him his position as closer.
In 2021, Chapman totaled 30 games saved, with a 3.36 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. In addition, he struck out an impressive 97 times in 56.1 innings.
Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Stanton has certainly not lived up to expectations in New York, but he remains one of the scariest hitters in all of Major League Baseball.
The slugger has an annual base salary of $29 million after signing a 13-year, $325 million deal.
Last campaign, Stanton was in good physical condition for the first time since 2018, something that was key to his finishing the regular campaign with an offensive line of 35 homers and 97 RBIs, with a .273 average and .354 OBP.
Gerrit Cole
Star starter Gerrit Cole takes the honors as the highest paid player in the Bronx franchise after signing a 9-year, $324 million deal that guarantees him an annual base salary of $36 million.
The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher has the responsibility of leading the rotation of a team that in the recent past has suffered the absence of outstanding Latin stars such as Luis Severino and Domingo German. In addition, veteran Corey Kluber was unable to stand out due to physical problems.
After 9 years in the Major Leagues, Cole has a record of 117 wins and 63 losses, with a 3.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. The strikeout rate has been off the charts, with 1,673 after 1,449.1 innings of work.
