New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge recently dropped a surprising retirement hint, signaling his intention to remain a force in MLB well into his 40s. An elite talent that has received the praise of major legends of the New York franchise, Judge seems to be the next face of championship teams that will emerge from the Bronx.
In a candid interview with The Athletic, Judge confirmed he’s aiming to fulfill, and perhaps extend, the length of his current mega deal, which runs thorugh the 2031 season, when he will be 39. But retirement? Not so soon.
“I want to play into my 40s”, Judge’s future outlook.
At age 33, Judge has achieved plenty, yet he’s just getting warmed up. With 350 career home runs, hit in just 1,088 games, making him the fastest player to reach that milestone, Judge is in rare air. Recently he shared, “When I signed this deal…one of the things I promised was that I wanted to come in and be a contributor all the way to the end of that contract. So hopefully we’ll continue that”. That’s a clear message: expect him to stay powerfully productive until he’s at least 39, and maybe longer.
What it means for Yankees and MLB
Judge’s goal to extend his peak years matters for more than just his personal resumen, it has ripple effects across baseball. With a contract locked in for nine seasons and $360 million, Judge’s commitment stabilizes the Yankees’ lineup and marketplace. It tells fans and front office alike that New York’s prime superstar isn’t fading soon.
On the field, his 2025 slash line (.354/.460/.728 through mid-season, with 35 homers and 81 RBIs) paints the picture of a superstar still ascending. Remaining a full-time, elite contributor into his late 30s and potentially early 40s keeps Judge in the MVP conversation, ledger-chasing mode, and postseason contention, and keeps the Yankees firmly in the title chase.
Aaron Judge is not just planning to play out his current contract, he’s aiming higher. By setting his sights on contributing into his 40s, chasing historic home run totals, and remaining the face of Yankees baseball, he’s sending a bold message: the Judge era isn’t close to ending. For fans and baseball enthusiasts, his future remains as electrifying as the sound of the ball off his bat.
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