The New York Yankees have a problem: their best player, Aaron Judge, is in the third and final year of team control, which means he will hit free agency after the season if he is not extended.
Judge, who was extremely solid in 2021 with a .287/.373/.544 line, 39 homers and 98 RBI, has said he would like to be with the Yankees “for the next 10 years,” but would prefer not to negotiate an extension during the season.
That means the Yankees, currently running out of time to make roster improvements, have until April 7 to hammer out a deal with their star player.
Is the organization interested in one, though?
The Yankees Want To Extend Judge
It would appear so, according to what Yankees’ managing partner and owner Hal Steinbrenner told Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes on Wednesday.
“Steinbrenner said he expects Judge extension talks to begin soon. Said he told Cashman to focus on immediate needs first because of the shortened period he had to build a roster,” he said, per Janes.
Steinbrenner said he expects Judge extension talks to begin soon. Said he told Cashman to focus on immediate needs first because of the shortened period he had to build a roster.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) March 16, 2022
The Yankees recently added third baseman Josh Donaldson, catcher Ben Rortvedt and shorstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa via trade; and re-signed first baseman Anthony Rizzo last night.
More moves could be in the horizon: Kiner-Falefa is better suited as a utility player, making shortstop still a position to improve, and Luke Voit has no place to play, meaning there could be a trade soon to solve the logjam.
The Yankees could really use some pitching, too, and they are said to be engaging with the Oakland Athletics regarding hurlers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas.
The offseason is not over for the Yankees: will it end with an extension for Judge?
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