The fact that the New York Yankees have been mute on Aaron Judge could be a good indication of the slugger’s extension talks.
When it comes to Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees working out a contract deal, SNy reporter Andy Martino believes silence is a good thing.
While there has been a lot of speculation, it is only that.
Total silence from parties in Aaron Judge negotiations can, at least in a general sense, be thought a good sign for productive talks. Leaks happen when people get frustrated. My guess is 7 years, $224 million, but no one to my knowledge has concrete reporting on it right now.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) April 6, 2022
While Martino believes Judge might land a seven-year, $224 million contract, he also feels the Yankees may have alternative ideas that will help the team in the long run.
Little-ish thing, but if the Yankees can do a one year deal on Aaron Judge’s final year of arbitration and agree to an extension that starts in 2023, there is a luxury tax benefit for this year. Mets did this with Lindor, whose extension actually doesn’t begin until tomorrow.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) April 7, 2022
Aaron Judge’s silence may not be a terrible thing for the Yankees
Allowing a one-year deal in Judge’s final year of arbitration would allow the two parties to work out a deal for the 2023 season.
However, it is possible that he will be released due to free agency. While it may not be the ideal situation for the Yankees’ young slugger, it could help the organization escape the luxury tax.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post claimed that the lack of a deal could be due to Judge’s desire to remain a Yankee while reflecting on Jose Ramirez’s pact with the Cleveland Guardians. Does Judge want to stay a Yankee, as Ramirez wanted to stay a Guardian?
Will Judge’s desire to be paid like Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout or Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts get in the way?
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner may want to get this deal done, but will Judge’s desire to be paid like Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout or Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts get in the way? Any extension for Judge, according to Sherman, would be in the $200 million level.
“Will he decline any extension that does not place him, say, toward Betts/Trout?” Sherman wondered. Or is he using that as a ruse to keep Steinbrenner bidding against himself, knowing that he’ll take the last highest offer before the Judge’s enforced deadline of Opening Day Friday?”
The Yankees and Judge have a lot to consider. Will Judge cement his status as a Yankee for the foreseeable future? Will he stick it out for more money, or will he give up? Will the Yankees foot the bill?
We’ll have to wait and see. For the Yankees and Judge, the next several hours might be crucial.
