Aaron Judge’s contract demands are downright delusional

Aaron Judge’s reported contract demands are a little wild, and it’s no wonder the Yankees haven’t been able to sign him.

Of course, said numbers could’ve been leaked by someone in the Yankees camp to put pressure on Judge, and we should take all reports with a grain of salt.

But, we’re operating under the assumption that Judge really did request a nine-year contract with over $30.5 million AAV. Should that be true, per NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty, I’m not exactly sure where to start. How about a heck no?

"“The star right fielder has refused to budge off of a request for at least nine years, a person with knowledge of the contract negotiations between Judge and the Yankees told NJ Advance Media on Friday.Judge also wanted more than the $30.5 million average annual value, the person said, though the person didn’t specify how much more.”"

Aaron Judge contract: Yankees won’t budge on those terms

New York does want to keep Judge around. They understand how valuable he is to the franchise long-term.

But at the same time, he’s just a few days away from being on the wrong side of 30. Next offseason, he’ll be even older. Who knows how his body will hold up this season, as a player with a history of injury issues?

Judge might translate better to a DH long-term rather than playing corner outfielder well into his 30’s. Are the Yankees comfortable paying that much for what could end up being a second Giancarlo Stanton?

Judge can get more money elsewhere, if he wants it. He will not get the nine years at that AAV, most likely. But the Yankees surely will not give into those demands.

if Judge doesn’t budge, he’s already played his hand.