The work stoppage is not only difficult for players like Carlos Correa or Trevor Story, who are without a contract for the next season. Indeed, players like Aaron Judge, who will become a free agent in 2023, cannot negotiate with their respective teams.
For Judge, it seems important that a contract extension be signed before the season opener. He doesn’t seem to have any interest in negotiating a contract during the season (like many players).
“If it doesn’t happen and this is my last year, I had a lot of great memories.”
Aaron Judge hints that an extension with the Yankees would have to be done before Opening Day https://t.co/UmwCl5Yn0h pic.twitter.com/5xNJGAkrkc
—SNY (@SNYtv) February 17, 2022
Judge is loyal to the Yankees. He wants to stay a few more years in the Bronx. But he remained rather nebulous about his future there.
Anyway, if we manage to extend the contract before the start of the season, that would be great and I would be very honored to wear the team uniform for a few more years. But if that doesn’t happen and it’s my senior year, I had a lot of great memories. And it doesn’t matter if it’s my last year or my first year, I’m going to go out there, play my best and do what I have to do for the city and for the team. -Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge still uncertain of Yankees future: ‘Loaded question’ https://t.co/VD0q3B8qyG pic.twitter.com/g5dFecidZh
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 17, 2022
Obviously for New York, Judge’s contract has to be a priority. I know she has needs at shortstop and first base, for example, but you already have a star player who wants to play for your team.
Judge needs to be signed, but obviously there’s nothing anyone can do about it due to the lockout. It’s a shame, because perhaps the outfielder would have already extended his contract with the Yanks if it wasn’t for Rob Manfred and the owners.
A guest on CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco’s podcast, Judge said he had to perform well to earn his next contract. Everything is in the hands of God now, according to him.
That’s what it ultimately boils down to: you go out there and prove yourself. If the ball is in your court, it doesn’t matter who you are, when it comes to the free agent market or whatever, it’s all about putting in the numbers and doing what you gotta do and to show that you deserve a contract. You deserve to be somewhere. -Aaron Judge
