Yankees working on Judge extension
Cashman says offer for multiyear deal to come by opening day
New York Yankees star slugger Aaron Judge will soon get a proposal for a long-term contract extension, general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday.
“Between now and opening day we’ll make an offer and he’ll obviously receive an offer and all the conversions will have taken place and will either resolve into a multiyear deal or it won’t,” Cashman said.
“We’re committed. We’ll make an offer and hear what he has to say in response and then it will be pencils down before opening day,” he said.
The Yankees open on April 7 at home against the Boston Red Sox.
Judge said Saturday he was “pretty sure” he doesn’t want to negotiate a new contract during the regular season.
The outfielder, who turns 30 next month, is eligible to become a free agent after the World Series.
“We haven’t decided yet, but for right now that’s what we’ve got,” Judge said. “I want to be here. Get a chance to play here for quite a few more years, that would be great. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’m not too worried.”
The Yankees and Judge so far have failed to reach a deal for 2022, which could result in the two sides heading into arbitration during the season. He asked for a raise from $10,175,000 to $21 million, and the Yankees offered $17 million.
More Yankees: Cashman has been in contact a few times since spring training started with the agent for outfielder Brett Gardner, who is a free agent after playing for the Yankees from 2008-21. “Right now we’re focused on what we have, to be honest,” Cashman said. Gardner, 38, hit .222 with a .327 on-base percentage in 140 games last season.
Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker apologized Saturday after being arrested on a charge of driving under the influence a day earlier. Walker was arrested early Friday morning in Pinellas County, Fla., and released later that day on $500 cash bond. Guardians: Cleveland reliever James Karinchak could miss the start of the regular season with a shoulder strain suffered earlier this week in camp. Also, Guardians backup catcher Luke Maile could be out for a month with a strained hamstring.
The New York Yankees are planning to offer outfielder Aaron Judge a multiyear extension before opening day. Judge, who is eligible to become a free agent after the World Series, says he’s “pretty sure” he doesn’t want to negotiate a new contract during the regular season.
Rays: Tampa Bay acquired outfielder Harold Ramirez in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Ramirez batted .268 with seven homers and 41 RBIs in 99 games with Cleveland last season. He was acquired by the Cubs for cash in November. Chicago got minor league infielder Esteban Quiroz in the deal with Tampa Bay. White Sox: Chicago designated hitter Yermin Mercedes will miss the start of the season because of a left hand injury.
Note: Major League Baseball is asking umpires to make more random checks of pitchers for sticky substances after watching its crackdown become less effective late last season. MLB instituted regular checks last June 21 for grip aids. Seattle’s Hector Santiago was ejected on June 27 and Arizona’s Caleb Smith was tossed on Aug. 18, and both received 10-game suspensions. “After an initial dip in spin rates as a result of the periodic checks, unfortunately the data showed that spin rates started to rise toward the end of the season as players grew accustomed to the circumstances of routine umpire checks,” MLB Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations Mike Hill wrote in a memorandum Friday to team owners, executives and managers, and all major and minor league players. “As a result, umpires have been instructed to be more vigilant and unpredictable in the timing and scope of their checks during the 2022 season,” he said. The memorandum, first reported by Sports Illustrated, was obtained by The Associated Press.