Yankees: Silence on Aaron Judge talks could be a good sign
As the New York Yankees remain silent on Aaron Judge, it could be a positive sign for extension talks with the slugger.
SNy reporter Andy Martino thinks silence is a good thing when it comes to Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees working out a contract extension.
While there has been a lot of talking, it’s merely speculation.
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 could get a massive deal in the range of seven years and $224 million, he also believes the Yankees could have other ideas that could benefit the Yankees 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
Yankees, Aaron Judge silence might not be a bad thing
Allowing a one-year deal in Judge’s final year of arbitration would allow the two sides to work on an extension that would begin in the 2023 season. But it could lead to possibly losing him to free agency. While it might not be what Yankees faithful want to see for their young slugger, it could benefit the team by avoiding the luxury tax.
While reflecting on Jose Ramirez’s deal with the Cleveland Guardians, Joel Sherman of the New York Post speculated the lack of a deal could rest on Judge’s desire to remain a Yankee. While Ramirez wanted to remain a Guardian, does Judge want to remain a Yankee?
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner may want to get this done deal, 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. Sherman also speculates that any extension for Judge would be the $200 million range.
Sherman said, “Will he refuse any extension that does not put him, say, at least toward Betts/Trout? Or is he using that as rhetoric to keep Steinbrenner bidding against himself and will take the last best offer before Judge’s imposed deadline of Opening Day Friday.”
Judge and the Yankees have a lot to think about. Will Judge make himself a Yankee for years to come? Or will he wait it out for more money? Will the Yankees put up the money?
Time will tell. The next few hours could be huge for the Yankees and Judge.
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