Mets reportedly don't 'plan to fight the Yankees' for Aaron Judge

It appears the New York Mets don't intend to "steal" All-Star slugger Aaron Judge from the New York Yankees. 

SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday that "Mets sources" continue to insist that the Amazins don't "plan to fight the Yankees this offseason" regarding Judge's services. 

"The team in Queens sees Judge as a Yankee, uniquely tailored to be an icon in their uniform, stadium and branding efforts," Martino noted. "Owners Steve Cohen (Mets) and Hal Steinbrenner (Yankees) enjoy a mutually respectful relationship and do not expect to upend that with a high-profile bidding war. The only way people involved can see the Mets changing course and pursuing Judge would be if the Yankees somehow declared themselves totally out of the bidding." 

Martino also reminded everyone that Cohen signed star shortstop Francisco Lindor to a 10-year contract extension that could be worth up to $341 million in the spring of 2021 and doesn't want to spend even more money per season on a different position player who will turn 31 years old in April of next year. 

Multiple individuals such as outspoken ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith and Hall-of-Famer David Ortiz had linked Judge with the Mets. Meanwhile, the four-time All-Star selection remains on track to hit free agency after he rejected a seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension offer from the Yankees earlier this year. 

Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader recently admitted he's worried Judge could chase a historic contract and leave the Bronx after the World Series. It was reported before Halloween that "there appears to be some real concern within the Yankees' ranks about their chances to keep Judge."