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Bleacher Report Flags Yankees and Padres Mega Deals as 2028 Financial Risks

The methodology isolates cash owed from 2028 to stress how aging curves could squeeze roster flexibility.

Overview

  • Bleacher Report, as reported by Heavy, identifies two Yankees contracts—Aaron Judge and Max Fried—as potential constraints starting in 2028 based on future cash obligations.
  • Aaron Judge will enter his age-36 season in 2028 with roughly four years and $160 million remaining, raising late-30s production concerns despite current elite performance.
  • Max Fried will be 34 in 2028 with $29 million due annually through 2032, and prior forearm strains plus expiring deals for Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón heighten rotation risk.
  • Two Padres stars—Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts—rank near the top of the list, with the analysis warning of large payouts tied to mid-30s seasons.
  • Manny Machado’s $40 million salary from 2028 aligns with recent defensive decline, while Xander Bogaerts is labeled the most concerning deal after a pronounced offensive drop over the past two seasons.