Yankees president Randy Levine emphatically denies Aaron Judge was nearly traded to Angels

The story was discussed on the Friday edition of the "Tiki and Tierney" show that airs on New York sports radio station WFAN, and Yankees team president Randy Levine responded to the report via a strong statement read over the air. 

"The New York Yankees called Harold Reynolds after his comments regarding Aaron Judge," Levine explained, per Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "His statement regarding any trade conversations was completely untrue. The Yankees also called the president of the Angels, and the Angels also reached out to Harold. There is no truth to his claims.

"It also would have been responsible if Harold would have called the Yankees to verify his reporting before making such unfounded claims." 

Seemingly out of nowhere, Reynolds declared during a cut-in of the Wednesday game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees that "Aaron Judge was going to the Angels in spring training" via a trade. "That deal was basically done," he said.  

Reynolds added he didn't know who and/or what the Yankees would receive in return as part of the transaction. 

"I don’t know who, I just know the deal was done. I’m telling you. That was a conversation I heard. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am," he remarked. 

Judge rejected a seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension offer from the Yankees before Opening Day and remains set to hit free agency after the season. The 30-year-old is widely thought to be the uncrowned 2022 American League Most Valuable Player and will enter Friday night's home game against the Boston Red Sox one home run shy of tying the AL single-season record of 61 homers set by Yankees legend Roger Maris in 1961.