Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner spoke to various members of the media today and gave some updates regarding the team. Perhaps most notably, he said that the club plans to engage Aaron Judge and his representatives to talk about a contract extension soon. (Links from Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com and Erik Boland of Newsday.) He says that he instructed general manager Brian Cashman to focus on immediate needs first due to the lockout creating a time crunch for roster building, but that the talks would begin before Opening Day on April 7th.
The slugging right fielder is entering his final year of team control. Since the 2021 season ended, Judge has frequently said that he is open to an extension that would keep him in the Bronx beyond this year. However, the star outfielder indicated yesterday he’s not interested in carrying on negotiations beyond Opening Day.
“If we’re able to talk and get something done in spring training before the season starts, that would be ideal, especially since this is an important year,” Judge told reporters (including Andy Martino of SNY). “We’ve got a lot of things to focus on during the course of the year, winning a division and winning a championship here in New York. I don’t want contract talks or extensions and all that talk to be a distraction throughout the year. So, if we’re able to agree to something here in the spring before we head up to New York, that’s wonderful and it would be an honor. If not, we’ll talk after the season.”
Needless to say, an extension for Judge won’t be cheap. In 572 games to this point in his career, he’s hit 158 home runs and has a slash line of .276/.386/.544, producing a wRC+ of 151 and 24.3 fWAR. The three-time All-Star is coming off one of the best showings of his career. Judge tallied 633 plate appearances last season and hit .287/.373/.544 with 39 home runs. As he has throughout his time in the big leagues, he posted top-of-the-scale exit velocities and rated as a capable defender in right field.
Judge certainly won’t feel any financial pressure to take a below-market deal. Not only is he six months from free agency, he has already banked upwards of $13MM in arbitration earnings. More importantly, he’s in line to more than double that this upcoming season. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Judge for a hefty $17.1MM salary during his final trip through the arbitration process. He’s slated to hit the market next winter in advance of his age-31 campaign, where he could be one of the top players available if he doesn’t sign an extension in the coming weeks.
It’s about stinkin’ time! I’ve been waiting! No other place I’d rather be. I’m ok with an extension for 6 or 7 years. I’m all ears Mr. Ca$hman.
It’s going to take 8 years guaranteed minimum I’m afraid.
I’m sticking with my prediction of 8/$240 and 2 option years at $30M each.
The thing I don’t get, why is he worth only $17M in arbitration this year?
Mookie got $27M his final arbitration year, Arenado got $26M.
How is Judge not worth at least $25M this year?
I want Corey Segar money.
@FPG The whole arbitration system is screwy. If I had to guess, Mookie consistently played at MVP-levels without missing time. Betts also won a MVP and WS MVP so that’s factored in. Judge missed 60 games the season before he was first-time arb eligible so he had a much lower base to work with.
Same reason he won’t get Mookie’s extension deal
@mcmillankmm No one is saying he’s getting Mookie money or even as good of a player as he is.
Mookie never won a WS MVP.
Because he isint as good as Mookie Betts? He is a good player, but he gets hurt way more often. If you look at his average number of games played per year, its much much lower than Mookie. May not be entirely his fault, but it hurts his value to a team if he isint playing regardless.
I’m not familiar with that name.
FireBoone, Fangraphs makes Judge the 4th-most-valuable player in baseball since 2017, with 24.5 fWAR. Mookie is second with 29.2 fWAR.
They’re not the same type of player, particularly in terms of speed and power. But if Judge “isn’t as good” as Mookie, in terms of overall value he’s pretty close.
He got ripped. Had this bonus pool was in place at the last CBA he would have raked in millions more.
@YankeesBleacherCreature- no reason to be afraid brother. I’m staying with the Yankees. Maybe a club option for that 8th year? I’m a big guy, 7 years seem to be plenty.
I’ll buy you a foot-long Subway sandwich of your choice if you stay.
I’ll chip in and make it a meal deal
@YankeesBleacherCreature- I’m definitely staying and now I’m feeling like that foot-long subway sandwich. So your on. Let’s go American sub, just like the Yankees being America’s Team, thanks for all your needed support!
@DragBunt- sounds really good! I like these fans! I need to tell them more.
Judge: 10 years, $400 Million
Cashman: Ahem
Steinbrenner: 8 years, $240 Million
Judge: Let’s schedule a day to talk in November, after I have spoken to Mr Cohen. Thank you.
Steinbrenner: uhhhhhh
Then Steinbrenner: hello? Jacob deGrom?
DeGrom: hi Mr Steinbrenner! Call me Jake, where do I sign?
Fun times for NYC baseball ahead. No matter how nice the two of them play in the media, this is a potential really fun to watch pissing contest between Cohen and Steinbrenner for years to come.
How great would it have been with Cohen and George at same time??
” The poor showings in the 1980s and early 1990s soon changed. Steinbrenner hired Howard Spira to uncover damaging information on Winfield and was subsequently suspended from day-to-day team operations by Commissioner Fay Vincent when the plot was revealed. This turn of events allowed management to implement a coherent acquisition/development program without owner interference. General Manager Gene Michael, along with manager Buck Showalter, shifted the club’s emphasis from high-priced acquisitions to developing talent through the farm system. George didn’t have the glorious track record that some of you remember. “
KB’s just signed contract with COL should be a template, knowing that Judge doesn’t have the Hardware that KB has in his resume.
Why would the hardware be a factor ? The World Series ring Bryant didn’t win on his own and like Bryant judge has a ROY award. One mvp award (which imo judge deserved in 2017) should not make or break anything negotiating wise
Agreed, but Rockies have to pay slightly more than Yankees because they are different markets, different legacies, and different chances of winning.
@stymeedone- don’t worry about my hardware. You need to be more concerned about your software, tough guy.
Get vaxed you idiot.
No
cool.
ask the 1 million folks who agree with you what happened.
oh wait, you can’t.
friendly reminder:
every accusation from you types is a confession.
just saying, snowflake.
How much do they have to pay judge if he can only play away games for the next 5 years ? Lol
Offer Judge 231 mil over 7 years with a team option for the 8th, NT clause and make him captain. That should get it done!!!
@yanks2323- $220 million for 7 years is fine. But thanks for the $11 million more offer. A club option for that 8th season seems possible. I would have interest in that. No trade sounds great, and I already feel like the captain of the Yankees. Thanks!
Any more than that would be foolish with his injury track record. I’m only willing to support that number because of who he is but anymore than that and I’m in the camp of definitely letting him walk. To be clear, I’m talking $220/7.
Good. Get this done hal !!! We love judge so much
@Joesph Gonzalez- thank you to! I love all the fan support and loyalty! No worries this will get done. I promise.
Bryant’s 7/182 just made Judge more expensive.
Yeah, Cashman waiting backfired on him specifically because of this.
@Clipper, there was a point a year back they could have signed him for George Springer money, but that would have messed up their desire to get under the luxury tax. Now they’ll pay a higher price!
It’s also their dumb policy of not negotiating extensions early.
In their defense, I think it was important for Judge to show he could stay healthy too. I don’t blame them at all in this case.
They could’ve started talking after his rookie year is all I’m saying.
That’s fair
To be fair, Hicks and Severino’s extensions haven’t exactly worked out. Complete busts would not be remotely overstating things.
I’d argue that that Severino and Hicks has time to redeem themselves. For $10m-$11.5m per with the NYY’s resources, it’s not exactly dehabilitating. If Sevy pitches like pre-TJ surgery, his $15m ’23 option would be a good deal.
Because he knows if judge makes it to free agency uncle Steve Cohen will make him an offer he can’t refuse and he’ll become a New York Met
@Al Hirschen- I have zero interest in signing with the Mets. I’d like to be a life long Yankee, and have my #99 retired in Monument Park one day, Mr. Met!
You’ll sign with whoever gives you the most money after the yanks let you walk.
Georgie would’ve had paid the guy right away.
He’d also be paying $100m a year in luxury tax.
“He’d also be paying $100m a year in luxury tax.”
Probably, but George would have been fine with that, as long as it got him championships.
You say that like it’s a bad thing, @YBCreature.
@Ducky “Pay him…. Pay that mahn his money.” – Teddy KGB
Say what you want about King George. Lots of it would be true. But. Imagine if Hal was putting 70+% of revenue back into payroll. Now, to be fair, I don’t think we will see an owner do that ever again. In any sport.
Tantalizing thought though.
I miss him. He was so much fun. Bitching about ST records, calling Jeter out for partying too much, negotiating directly with Gary Sheffield, “Fat toad”… The team certainly wouldn’t be stuck at 27 flags.
My grandfather was a season ticket holder (G-Men too.) As such, I actually met Mr Steinbrenner a couple times when I was a kid. He always looked me right in the eye, & asked what I thought of the team & who my favorite player was.
I am not ready to canonize him for sainthood. But as an owner, he was as committed to winning as any of us. We certainly would have had more help in ’17 & ’19 for example.
I never met him but one of my closest friend won some contest to be honorary bat boy for a game during the Mattingly years. He met George as well and he personally gave him some really nice loot. He also got a signed team ball sitting on his shelf today.
I could tell he genuinely wanted me to be a Yankee fan & was proud that I was. Sounds like your buddy had a similar experience.
People talk about “growing the game” on here all the time. I wonder if Hal checks in with his season ticket holders personally at the park & engages with the kids. My guess is: Aww, hell no, bro.
I’m willing to bet Hal is a definitive, “I don’t touch ‘those people’” kind of dude-woman. His dad was a true fan of the game & the team. A true competitor & someone fans knew was trying to win, even if he didn’t make the best choices. Pretty much the opposite of Halbert. I bet his dad wouldn’t have thrown away Old Yankee Stadium!
Ducky, a bit off-topic but anyone else notice the conspicuous absence of any Story discussions? Like, zero after that general “team checking with Story” the other day. Strange with all the activity.
Yeah.
Pretty different vibe from Hal. George was more like…well: us.
There was one update that I saw linking him to the Twins (possibly.) Not much on Correa besides the Astros stuff either, now I think about it.
Huh.
Has been quiet. Not sure what to make of that.
@Clip Cash has demanded a media blackout or exile while he’s in deep negotiations with team Story – that would be nice. I think Story is sitting out until Correa signs.
YBC: Wouldn’t that be tremendous! Honestly, maybe the best thing is his market collapses and he lets Cashman know he’s available for a Rizzo-type deal. That said, we need to address C. I still think Contreras is #1’ on the list for 161 River Ave, but we will see. I don’t think the prospects will be prohibitive, & I think it will allow for the juiced kid to develop his offense a bit more in the minors.
@Creature –
There was a “members only” article today by Franco in re plausible landing spots for Luke Voit. The Cubbies were listed as 3rd most likely. Mr Franco then went on to write that if the Cubs were to move Contreras the fit would “be cleaner.”
Adding Voit to the deal allows the Cubs to continue projecting an image of competitiveness. I don’t think Luuuuuuuuuuke would be the main piece or whatever. But he might be part of the Cubs return.
Contreras to the Yanks just continues to seem more & more inevitable to me.
I so hope Mr. Franco is correct and also hope Voit becomes the NL HR champ.
Figured Clip saw it & took it to the same place as I did. Same here though.
@Clip George valued and reciprocated loyalty to a fault sometimes. Steve Howe. Billy Martin. He was always on the field with his coaches and players. The Yankees were a family to him. That all ended towards Joe Torres’ final years when Cashman was given full reign.
The Gary Sheffield negotiations sucked. I never liked Sheffield. And supposedly Cashman was after Vlad at the time and George overruled him. What could have been…
Sign him… face of the franchise, one of the faces of mlb, possible captain… 6 years 180 million 7th year option done deal
Agreed, it could be in the that ballpark!
@Bigtimeyankeefan- yes, thank you but that’s a little short. No need for an option for a 7th year. I will sign for $210 million for 7 years. ($30 million a year)
Why would he take less than Mookie?
Because he is nowhere near as good a Mookie and he’s older
Besides the age difference, Mookie is a 5-tool player while Judge is just 3 tools.
He going to be offered Mookie’s deal? Has already shown durability issues
I don’t think Judge thinks those things.
I think he’s looking at Giancarlo and thinking “hmmm.”
FPG, The 5 tools are hitting, hitting for power, running, fielding and throwing. Judge qualifies on all 5 counts. The only argument you could have at all is the first, hitting, though I would disagree. I think you are confusing 3 true outcome and 5 tool and Judge is way more than just a 3 true outcome player.
Why would you want to extend someone who isn’t even eligible to play in their own home park due to questionable personal choices? Who needs that?
As Jidge said, we’d cross that bridge when the time comes. It’s not like they’re all not factoring in a fluid situation.
@wifflemeister- why would you judge me without even knowing all the facts? I will be extended regardless of your feelings.
Lol questionable personal choices. Makes it sound like he’s beating up women and driving drunk. Ridiculous
it is questionable.
so, you types praised orange man for holding prayer circle to combat covid.
how’d that faith work out for you?
oh yeah, sorrryantivaxxer exists because of you guys, and yet, there isn’t a similar site for atheist pro vaxxers (oh yeah, cause we didn’t die).
Not going to debate what your confirmation biases have told you is true because the information you’ve put out is already inaccurate and I deal in facts, not sides.
But, “prayer circles” if you want to call it that, is just as, if not more, effective than anything else….why? Because, ultimately God is in control. You think people are & it’s a mistake that you will find out too late, unfortunately. But, nobody can destroy this world, nothing can happen inside this world without being part of God’s sovereign plan, including vaccines, which we are blessed to have; so yeah, I’m up for a prayer circle –
I’d much rather talk about that than Covid anyway…Covid was sooooo 2020, bro.
It must be nice to think you have the only answer even though there are actually two sides to the debate. As you said, it’s a “personal choice.”
But you do you fella. Keep crossing wires between baseball and a personal choice for a vaccine. SMH.
But in his defense, it is a business decision. A smart businessperson will make Judge agree to get the vaccine for business purposes. Politics are not the issue, profits are the issue.
From the business side, I can completely understand your argument because it’s logical. It has a basis of fact. His argument just says, “I think Judge makes bad choices for himself!”
Sounds…….whiny. But yeah, I think that’ll get resolved here shortly because they’re working on that issue. I am surprised Judge isn’t vaccinated but I don’t judge him (or Others) for those choices, man. Too many things we don’t know about them personally to just attack them. He’s a smart guy, he’s obviously got a reason for his choice. It’s between him and the Yankees. They’ll work it out.
Yeah. I get it.
Shouldn’t be compulsory.
I got the shot. But I was in the service. If I didn’t want the government to stick needles in me, I am about 30 years too late for all that.
My girlfriend – however – is mostly of Ojibwe & Lakota descent. Her trust in the federal government/medicine/shots is nonexistent. Which I get. She’s a tough, smart, capable woman from the rez in North Dakota. Somebody else can make her get it, cuz it ain’t going to be this guy. She’s tougher than I am, man.
Why COVID’s over, it’s Russia Russia now.
Wait, can you get Russia shots now? Are they mandated?
what profit?
shot cost $12, average antivax hospital stay cost about 1 million dollars.
oops.
8 years 208
9th year option kicks in at 26 million with 500 plate appearances in year 7 and 8 of contract
Full no trade clause
Performance bonuses for all star appearances, mvp voting
if it’s true that he’s (possibly unwisely) unvaxxed, he won’t be UFA eligible until after this year/season
No need to put unwisely.
That’s a contract that will not age well. Good luck!
@ham77- thank you for your vote of confidence, it means everything to me!
None of these contracts do. Surplus value upfront, then deficit. I think it’s understood industry-wise.
Neither does your comment, ham!
Didn’t realize he’s already 30. I don’t think many teams will be lining up to give him a big deal
@thefallensoldier- I think your wrong. We’ll see if I get to free agency how many teams will be lining up to give me a big deal. You’ll be very surprised if it ever gets to that point.
I think given that he is still a very good right fielder and the universal DH bigger contracts for a guy his age might be a little more common
$30M/10
@dave frost nhlpa- $30 million a year for 6 or 7 years would be fine. I’d like to start coaching right after that. No need to keep playing for 10 more years. But thank you for such a big offer, and for caring.
40/450
Bobby Bonilla contract. 10/325 then the rest paid for 30 years
Lol
If I were Cashman I’d give him the highest annual amount of dollars in MLB history, for as many years as he wants. I’d hand him a blank contract and let him fill in the numbers.
Good. Give him a nice fat extension that will hamstring the yankees for 5-8 years.
Terrible idea to sign him. A fan favorite, yes. A leader, yes. But financially, it will end up being Stanton 2.0. Aaron will be 31 and he’s too injury prone to be someone you’d sign for a longterm extension. Allocate the money on pitching instead.
Judge is a fantastic player… when he’s healthy. Offer him a 3 year 60m deal, if not let him walk. Hicks, Ellsbury, Stanton, are examples of injury prone players that weren’t worth their contracts. Hopefully they don’t make the same mistake by signing Judge.
I’d rather have Scherzer, Stroman, or Robbie Ray instead of money spent on injury prone outfielders that are all muscle and get injured every other week.
Judge is too fragile to be anything besides a DH if he’d extended. Same issue with Stanton.
Stroman? Lol
Like its unwise to turn down an experimental drug that the makers of dont want the ingredients revealed for 75 years. Put that in your arm mr critic
Gabriel
You obviously do not know how Mrna technology works nor that it has been under development for 20 yrs . Grown men scared of a little needle and not bright enough to look at Hospitalizations/ICU and Deaths per 100k pop of each cohort and age group to see how much more at risk the unvaccinated are- SMH. Cambridge Analytica knew what they were doing when they targeted folks like you.
I like Judge and all but he’s injury prone and turning 30 in late April. Hopefully he stays healthy. Going to be interesting to see how many years he gets offered.
A lot of people forget what z good baserunner Bobby Murcer was
This will be a risky deal because Judge is never healthy and the injuries will take their toll. However, I guess they have to do that deal. It won’t end well
The deal should be 5 years $250 million
WOAHZ
Tread carefully. Best predictor of future injuries is past injuries.
Then Tatis Jr is in BIG trouble – and so are the Padres.
Question is will he extend his arm for a jab so he can play at home and in Toronto
If this happens…. In a perfect world I’d say 5 years/$180M ($20M, $37.5M, $37.5M, $37.5M, $37.5M) w/ $10m buy out on $35.5M option that could take it to 6 years/$205.5M.
Realistically: 8 years/$261M ($5M signing bonus, $16M, $35M, $45M, $37.5 $35M, $32.5M, $30M, $25M)
Stop it. I can’t handle this.
Numbersnumbersnumbersnumbersnumbers
Pay Aaron Judge whatever he wants. He’s a true gentleman in the game of baseball.
Freeman money going to Judge as we thought. This will be completed & likely in the neighborhood of 6-8 years with 1-2 options. My guess is he will settle in around $28M – $30M, after Bryant’s $26M AAV. Yankees will add on a year or two if it means keeping a lower AAV on this one because Judge will be a Yankee for life.
Lock him up, get a catcher, let’s roll to 2022 – playoff-bound.
Yeah, I definitely see Judge back with Yankees!
What if you can have one (only one of the following):
Freddie Freeman, 6 years $180 million
Aaron Judge, 7 years, $210 million
Which do you want?
Terms:
No opt-outs
No trade clause
Player promises to receive vaccine
“Both” is an unacceptable answer for purposes of this poll.
That’s a tough one… Who knows how Judge will hold up in RF, he’s a huge dude. Freeman would be able to play 1B at 45.. not that demanding on the body. That’s a really tough one. As of now Judge is 29, the other is 32.
Judge being 3 years younger as of now, id probably go with Judge. And accept that he’ll probably be a DH for maybe the last 3-2 years of that deal.
It depends on the team, honestly. Weak answer, I know. But, really, it is a great question because it’s so close.
I think for the Yankees, Judge is the favorite because of his leadership position there, his exceptional defense, & his hitting prowess. He’s posted a .276/.386/.554 slugging & 150 ops+. Freeman, has posted .295/.384/.509 & 138 ops+. (I used career stats).
Overall, Judge is more versatile & has better defense & offense than Freeman. They are, however, very close. The money is negligible. It’s also one year difference, also negligible.
That said, if my team needed a LH bat, or a 1B specifically, I’d go Freeman. Vice versa with an outfield need & Judge.
All things equal, Judge is younger & better, I’d pick him.
10/375. Please
“and rated as a capable defender in RF” Judge is as good as it gets in RF. Defensive metrics are bullspit
In this case, the defensive metrics are in accord with you.
I may be wrong, but wasn’t the last extension fiascos back in 2010 with the then Face of the Yankees finally agreeing to a 3/$51 mil (after the 3/$45 mil Yankees offer and 4-6/$22-$24 AAV Jeter requested) contract after his 10/$189 mil extension in 2001 that took 13 months to negotiate? Granted, the 2010 signing was Jeter’s final contract extension (excluding the 1 year extension in 2013) and this will be Judge’s first, but again it took 13 months of negotiations in 2000/2001 with George Steinbrenner at the helm and Jeter having 5/6 years of Big League service. Now, he we are again talking about a contract extension for the latest Face of the Yankees. Hopefully the brass keeps those 2000/2001 and 2010 memories buried and gets Judge signed before Opening Day.
The difference is Jeter never stated he was going to test free agency each time. Cashman leaked the numbers to the press and dared Jeter to take other offers during their final negotiations. Judge has set a deadline right now and is not bluffing to walk away.
That’s true. That was a mess. Hopefully Judge’s deal actually does get finished before Opening Day. Of course if things don’t change (COVID vaccination policy) then Judge won’t be playing on Opening Day anyhow. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it!
The Yankees are trying now to play the indoor vs outdoor card with City Hall. I’m optimistic he’ll be in the OD lineup bc it makes no logical sense otherwise for the mayor to stay course with the policy.
Jeter actually made it to free agency so I’m not sure why you are calling it an “extension”? Not sure if there is any intended meaning there.
No intended meaning. Just mixed my wording up a little. Thanks for the reply though. I appreciate it!
Now go get vaccinated you moron Judge. Show you’ve got something between the ears instead of just below the neck.
The timing of this extension announcement is interesting. “Here, here fans ! Let us distract you from dwelling on this most apathetic failure of an off-season by changing the subject to your favorite Boy Scout player Aaron Judge. We need to save all our nickels to extend your most favorite player, remember??? Sacrifices must be made!”
6@170 is the highest I go. I love him, but the reality is that his health is suspect. Todays players are soft and highly overvalued. The majority of large contracts end up looking foolish midway through.
Those position players up near Judge’s size have generally fallen sharply after age 30. What do you do though, I don’t think the Yankees are capable of a Mookie-like move to get younger.
Basing it off of Stantons remaining contract ballpark 7@200m
Ok, could explain the Yanks pinching pennies.
Trade Judge now not sure why the Yankees are keeping an injury prone player especially when the Yankees are not even close to winning a WS. If the Yankees were serious about winning the Yankees would of signed Scherzer and Seager. Can we please go all in to win one Championship before we worry about Championships.
Not even close to winning the WS? All you have to do is get into the playoffs and stay hot as a team. See Braves. Judge was healthy all year last season. He’s making $17M in his final year and other teams would lineup to take him yesterday. How does Judge being off the team help their chances of winning a WS this season?
I had a terrible feeling for a few seconds today that Hal and Cashman were going to go crazy and sign Correa against all odds, expectations or sanity. I hope it was just indigestion.