Insider: Aaron Judge 'more likely than not' staying with Yankees

New York Yankees fans continue to receive promising news regarding the future of All-Star slugger Aaron Judge.

Per Ryan Gilbert of Audacy, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported on the latest edition of the "Big Time Baseball" podcast that "there’s room for the Yankees to spend" and that he believes New York will "try hard" to keep Judge regardless of pursuits from other clubs. 

"I feel like he’s more likely than not coming back, but you never know in free agency," Heyman told former MLB player Cody Decker during the episode. 

"I agree with you," Decker responded. "I can’t see him leaving the Yankees. … But if he’s not a Yankee, of course having fun, I can’t imagine him playing for any other team that’s not the San Francisco Giants if he’s not a Yankee." 

Judge is a Linden, California, native and routinely has been linked with the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers in rumors. However, Jake Mintz of Fox Sports mentioned earlier this week that "the consensus belief around the industry is that Judge stays in pinstripes." Heyman seemed to agree with that take.  

"He’s not really a San Francisco guy," Heyman added about Judge. "I don’t ever believe that anyone really cares that much about playing in their hometown. It’s harder to hit home runs there. In New York, you got the legacy, in the middle of a Hall of Fame career." 

Just last week, Heyman said that the Yankees were "feeling more confident" about holding onto Judge's services than they were immediately after they fell to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series. 

The four-time All-Star selection rejected New York's seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension offer before Opening Day and is on track to hit free agency, but SNY notes that the Bronx Bombers have exclusive rights to negotiate with Judge until Thursday evening before he is clear to speak with other teams.