Yankees will talk to Judge about deal, eventually
TAMPA — The shortened offseason has put a little more urgency on the Yankees’ roster rebuild. Sunday, Brian Cashman pulled off a deal that addressed some needs, but he was still pushing on deals to make the Yankees a 2022 World Series contender.
That means addressing the future of Aaron Judge — who is a free agent after this season — has been pushed back a little.
“We’re gonna have to engage in order to get a contract,” Cashman said after a team workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field Monday. “When that happens, we’re not going to say or predict, but we’re on the clock between now and his free agency. And if nothing gets done prior to free agency, it doesn’t mean we don’t want him. He can come back as a free agent, too.
“We’re the only team that can talk to him now,” Cashman continued. “At some point those conversations will happen and we’ll try to keep it as private as we can. But like anything else, just like trades and free agents, you just got to be on the same page and find common ground.
“We’re happy he’s a Yankee and it’ll be great if we can make it longer than this year.”
The 29-year-old Judge is coming off a huge 2021 season, in which he hit .287 with 39 home runs and 98 RBI, earning his third career All-Star selection while finishing fourth in voting for MVP. He played 148 games, a significant change after missing at least 30 games in each of the previous three seasons because of injuries.
His six-years in the big leagues have been exceptional and he has averaged 276/.386/.553 with a .940 OPS. He was the 2017 Rookie of the Year, runner up to Jose Altuve for AL MVP in that same season and a Home Run Derby champion.
One former National League executive suggested looking at two Astros — Alex Bregman and George Springer — for a contract guideline. Bregman signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the Astros in his age-25 season. Springer signed a six-year, $150 million deal with the Blue Jays.
“Springer is around the same age, Bregman is in a similar role with his team,” the executive said. “Judge is probably going to get a little higher (annual average value) than Bregman playing in New York and being a bigger star. Springer is signed around the same age.
“I don’t think you want to go too long-term with him, considering he’s had injuries.” That said, the executive suggested Judge would be worth a five-year, $185 million deal.
Judge said last month he’d like to remain a Yankee. “I’ve been lucky enough to play in the best organization out of all of them,” Judge said on CC Sabathia’s podcast, “so who wants to go anywhere else?”
He also said he was open to wherever free agency would talk him.
“If it doesn’t happen and this is my last year, I had a lot of great memories,” Judge said.