The self-set deadline by Aaron Judge to reach a potential deal on his contract has expired, and to no avail.
Early this morning, it was announced by Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman that he and Judge failed to reach a deal. The All-Star outfielder and current face of the franchise is due to become a free agent following this season, at which point any team can make an offer on him.
“We were unsuccessful in concluding a multiyear pact,” Cashman said this morning. “Obviously, our intent is to have Aaron Judge stay as a New York Yankee as we move forward, and I know that is his intent as well, which is a good thing. We’re going to be entering those efforts in a new arena…because we certainly couldn’t agree at this stage on a contract extension.”
Official from Yankees GM Brian Cashman: No long-term deal for Aaron Judge. Said Yankees offered a seven-year, $213.5 million extension, which, paired with the $17 million they’ve offered in arbitration this season, would have made the entire package just over $230 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 8, 2022
The deal offered by Cashman and the Yankees was a 7-year, $213.5 million extension (but coupled with the $17 million he will earn this year, the deal would be a total of $230 million). But Judge rejected the offer, and talks have now ended for the time being.
“This is the deadline,” Judge said. “If it doesn’t get done, then we’ll work on the one-year arbitration deal and move on from there. This is it. I don’t want to be a distraction during the year; we got so many things to focus on, you know, a lot of good things happening, and I don’t want this to be a distraction for the team all year.”
Brian Cashman announces that there will be no long term extension with Aaron Judge today.
The Yankees' offer was 7 years, $213.5 million starting next year: pic.twitter.com/lVz0uV3wmQ
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 8, 2022
Aaron Judge and the team negotiated up until the start of the game on Opening Day, on April 8. The Yankees’ opening ceremony featured a plethora of events including the singing of the Ukrainian National Anthem in a sign of solidarity, along with the first pitch being thrown out by Billy Crystal. The deadline set by Judge, which was the first pitch of the game, was not met.
“Just getting into extension talks, that’s a blessing. I never thought in my life I’d be in that opportunity, it’s not something that’s guaranteed. Just the thought of even going down this route with the Yankees is something special. I know I was guaranteed this last year, it’s an arbitration year. I got one year to play, and contract extension stuff is nice, but I got bigger things to focus on.”
What do you think of Aaron Judge rejecting the Yankees’ offer? Do you think he will sign a long-term deal with the club, or move elsewhere? Let us know, by either leaving a reaction below or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
