The Yankees announced this afternoon that they have agreed terms with 11 of the 12 players eligible for arbitration. Among them is an All-Star outfielder Joey Galloreported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (link to twitter) settled for $10.275 million.
This is in line with MLBTR member Matt Schwartz’s prediction of $10.2 million. Gallo will avoid a hearing during his final trial ride, as he is due to become a free agent at the end of the season. The 28-year-old bounced back from poor results in a shortened 2020 campaign and hit .223/.379/.490 in the first few months of last season in Texas. However, after being passed by the Yankees, it dropped to .160/0.303/0.404.
If he can regain his first-half form in the Bronx, Gallo will be one of the best players in the free agent class next year. Teammate Aaron Judge However, it is likely to become even more desirable if it enters the open market. The umpire is going through arbitration for the last time this offseason, and the Yankees say they will soon begin contract renewal talks with the three-time All-Star.
However, they will do so with some uncertainty about how much money Judge will make in 2022. He was the only Yankee player eligible for arbitration who didn’t come to an agreement with the team today. John Heyman of MLB Network reports (link to twitter) that the judge applied for a $21 million salary while the team offered him $17 million. (Schwartz’s $17.1 million prediction came in much closer to the team’s figure than the player’s.) They haven’t closed this gap and it looks like they may go to a hearing to determine its final price.
If Judge and the Yankees agree on a long-term deal in the coming weeks, it will prove moot. If that doesn’t happen, the 29-year-old’s salary for the upcoming season is likely to be decided by a referee. If the case goes to a hearing, the third party will unilaterally set the judge’s salary at either his desired $21 million level or the team’s proposed $17 million level, but not at any average level. The Yankee and Judge camp can continue to discuss a possible settlement before the hearing begins, if they so choose.