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New York Yankees finally getting around to Aaron Judge

By David Hill

Mar 15, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) bats during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) bats during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees have plenty of questions on their roster as Opening Day gets closer. They need help in center field, the rotation needs another arm or two, and the bullpen needs a great deal of work. It would be easy for other longer term issues to be overlooked.

Such has been the case with Aaron Judge. He is entering his final season before free agency and there had not been any discussions about a long term extension. While Judge has been on record as saying that he wants to spend his entire career in pinstripes, it takes two to make the deal work.

New York Yankees getting around to Aaron Judge

That is set to change soon. According to Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees are planning on beginning extension talks with Judge and his representatives before Opening Day. However, a deal will need to get done quickly as Judge has no interest in negotiating into the season.

There is no question that the Yankees desperately need Judge in their lineup. He has proven to be an incredible talent when he has been healthy with 2021 not being an exception. Judge produced an excellent .287/.373/.544 batting line in his 633 plate appearances, hitting 39 homers and 24 doubles. He was easily the Yankees best hitter last year, and with his excellent defense in right field, he is one of the best players in the game.

An extension is not going to be cheap and that could be a problem. The Yankees have a deeply flawed roster and have $118.3 million committed for 2023 to just five players. Other pieces, such as Joey Gallo and Jameson Taillon, are also slated to reach free agency after the season.

But it all comes down to Judge. He is the key to the Yankees’ lineup, the player who can change the game with one swing of the bat. He is a cornerstone, someone that they need to build their roster around. That will only happen once he is locked in with a long term deal.

Next. Judge currently unable to play home games. dark

The New York Yankees are ready to discuss a long term deal with Aaron Judge. But the clock is ticking to get that done before Opening Day.

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