After failing to bring in any of the top free agents available in the 2021-22 offseason (except for Anthony Rizzo), the New York Yankees are feeling pressure to finalize an extension with star right fielder Aaron Judge.
Judge is one of the top players in the American League, and has repeatedly said that he won’t negotiate an extension during the season.
That means, if the Yankees and the player don’t finalize a long-term deal before the season officially starts on Thursday, he will likely test free agency after the campaign ends.
There might be some good news on that front, though, or at least that’s what new YES Network broadcaster Carlos Beltran leaked on Monday.
“New Yankees broadcaster Carlos Beltran suggested Yankees star Aaron Judge had an extension with the team on the broadcast today, but was told to correct himself. He did. No deal yet is the word. Official word: it was a first broadcast mistake by Beltran,” MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted.
New Yankees broadcaster Carlos Beltran suggested Yankees star Aaron Judge had an extension with the team on the broadcast today, but was told to correct himself. He did. No deal yet is the word. Official word: it was a first broadcast mistake by Beltran.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 4, 2022
Is There Something In The Works Between The Yankees And Judge?
As Heyman noted, there is no deal yet, so Yankees fans shouldn’t feel victorious just yet.
But there might be something in the final stages, or else Beltran wouldn’t have said what he said.
It’s pretty clear that the Yankees are trying to hide something: maybe there are details to be sorted out and they want to make sure everything is clear and ready before announcing it to the public.
In any case, any Judge extension before the season would obviously be a boost to the Yankees’ long-term chances of winning a championship.
He is one of the top players in the league, and is fresh off hitting 39 homers and driving in 98 runs in 2021.
We will know more details in the next few hours.
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