Don Mattingly weighs in on Aaron Judge playing in New York

New York Yankees great Don Mattingly thinks free-agent slugger Aaron Judge should embrace the pressure and stay in New York City. 

"The thing about playing in New York is that it’s great but tough," Mattingly recently told Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media. "The blessing is also the curse. But it’s the tough that makes you better, which is the way it should be. Aaron is tough. The people I talk to who know him say he is as advertised – a hard worker, plays hard, understands his role. Great guy." 

A report emerged after the Yankees were swept by the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series that multiple members of the Bronx Bombers were bothered by the supposed "toxic" fan culture they endured during home games. It was said that an alleged "souring relationship between the Yankees and their fans" could cause players such as Judge to sign elsewhere. 

"I honestly hope Aaron stays with the Yankees," Mattingly said. "I know his numbers are crazy, a lot of teams are interested. But if I’m him I’d want the opportunity to win. And the Yankees can give him that every year." 

Handfuls of reports over the past couple of weeks have insisted the Yankees remain the favorites to win the signature of the 30-year-old after he rejected New York's seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension offer this past spring and then hit free agency late last week. The Linden, Calif., native has repeatedly been linked with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, among other would-be suitors. 

For an interview filmed ahead of the weekend, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner remarked that he's had "very positive conversations" with Judge since the club's elimination from the postseason tournament. 

"He means a lot to this organization, and I’ve made it very clear to him that we’re gonna do everything we can to make that happen," Steinbrenner said about hopefully re-signing the four-time All-Star.