Aaron Judge turns down 7-year, $213.5M offer from New York Yankees
General manager Brian Cashman stated Friday that the New York Yankees and All-Star right fielder Aaron Judge were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension before the team’s opening game of the 2022 season. The Yankees’ final offer to Judge, according to Cashman, was for seven years and $30.5 million each season, for a total of $213.5 million. Judge had stated that the first game of the season would be his target for reaching a long-term agreement.
The Yankees were scheduled to play the Boston Red Sox in their inaugural game at Yankee Stadium on Friday at 1:05 p.m. EDT. Judge is now set to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason.
“It’s concluded, unfortunately,” Cashman told reporters Friday at a news conference when asked about extension talks. “We will be in a one-year setting, on a yet-to-be-determined number [salary in 2022].
“We had an extended conversation over the last three weeks or so with [Judge and his representatives], but we were unsuccessful in concluding a multi-year pact. Obviously, our intent is to have Aaron Judge stay as a New York Yankee as we move forward. I know that is his intent, as well, which is a good thing.”
Because of arbitration regulations, the judge stays under the control of the club. Later this season, an arbitration hearing will be placed to decide his 2022 salary. The Yankees offered Judge $17 million in arbitration, which was included in their last offer to him, and would have kept him under contract for another eight years. In arbitration, the judge wanted a one-year remuneration of $21 million. Judge, 29, set a new high for himself.
Last season, he batted.287 with 39 home runs and 98 RBIs in 148 games for the Yankees. Over his first six seasons with the franchise, the three-time All-Star and 2017 American League Rookie of the Year hit.276 with 158 homers in 572 games. In the 2013 MLB Draft, he was selected with the 32nd overall pick. If Judge does not agree to a long-term contract with the Yankees, he may become a free agency next off-season.