Yankees GM willing to talk Aaron Judge extension during season

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees GM Brian Cashman willing to talk Aaron Judge extension during season

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/11/22

After it was learned that New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hadn't signed an extension with the club before his self-imposed deadline of Opening Day, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters before what became Friday's win over the Boston Red Sox that the Bronx Bombers had offered Judge a deal that would've paid him between $17 million and $21 million for this season and then would've been worth $30.5 million per year across seven additional years.

The three-time All-Star said on multiple occasions he didn't want to negotiate past Opening Day and would instead play on the one-year arbitration agreement before he can hit free agency after the season. Cashman appeared on New York's WFAN on Monday afternoon and suggested talks with Judge will have to wait until at least the fall months:

Brian Cashman on Judge negotiations: "We went in with legit intent of (a long-term deal). If you don’t have the outcome you want on the timeline you have, you get another bite of the apple (this winter), and now we live to fight another day." @CartonRoberts
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) April 11, 2022

However, Cashman added that he's open to continuing conversations with Judge's camp throughout the spring and, if necessary, the summer:

Brian Cashman on talking to Judge during the season: He has an agent, so if they want to engage, I don’t have any rules that prevent me from having a conversation if there’s any position change on either side." @CartonRoberts
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) April 11, 2022

Judge, who turns 30 years old on April 26, seems comfortable with betting on himself throughout the ongoing campaign now that Opening Day is in the rear-view mirror.

"Every day is a gamble," Judge said on Friday about not signing an extension before the season, per Buster Olney of ESPN. "Stepping outside your house is a gamble. ... But I don't mind going to free agency. It is what it is, and I've got a job to focus on."

As noted by ESPN stats, Judge went 4-13 (.308 average) with a double, a walk, no home runs and no RBI over the season's opening weekend. The 2-1 Yankees host the 2-1 Toronto Blue Jays on Monday evening.

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