The New York Yankees won’t be signing star outfielder Aaron Judge to an extension.
If destiny has a future with Judge and the Yankees on the same path, it will happen after the season, as a free agent and not as a member of the Bombers’ roster, per the player’s request.
Judge had stated he doesn’t want to negotiate an extension during the regular season, so any deal needed to occur in spring training.
In other words, the two sides had until today at 1 p.m. ET to finalize a deal, and they didn’t.
The Yankees offered Judge a seven-year, $213.5 million extension, and adding the $17 million they’ve offered in arbitration this season, he would have made $230.5 million over the next eight years.
That would be more than $28 million per year on average, higher than any other position player in Yankees’ history including Giancarlo Stanton and Alex Rodriguez back in the day.
Fans are bummed, of course, because they wanted to see Judge signed long-term instead of hitting free agency.
The Yankees Made A Good Offer
However, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, executives around the league think the Yankees made a very competitive offer, considering what some of the game’s brightest stars made this offseason.
“First blush reaction from other executives around baseball is that Hal Steinbrenner really stepped up with a strong offer. Considering what free agents like Freeman and Correa just got, some around the game are shocked Judge turned down more than $230 MM,” Martino tweeted.
First blush reaction from other executives around baseball is that Hal Steinbrenner really stepped up with a strong offer. Considering what free agents like Freeman and Correa just got, some around the game are shocked Judge turned down more than $230 MM.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) April 8, 2022
Despite the solid offer for the soon-to-be 30-year-old Judge, he seems set to test free agency, unless he changes his mind and decides to entertain offers during the season.
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