Yankees have offered Aaron Judge big extension, but years in question

New York Yankees All-Star slugger Aaron Judge made it clear last week he would prefer to come to terms on a long-term contract with the organization ahead of Opening Day next Thursday after the two sides failed to put pen to paper on a deal before the MLB arbitration deadline. 

It appears the Yankees have reached out with a new offer. 

According to Ryan Chichester of Audacy, baseball insider Jon Heyman appeared on the MLB Network "Hot Stove" show on Thursday and reported the Bronx Bombers are keen on paying the 29-year-old who can hit free agency after this season around $30 million per year. 

"They were expected to make an offer, and I believe they did so last weekend," Heyman explained. "My understanding is they're willing to pay in the range of $30 million a year, maybe over, but the years are going to be a question, and my belief is they're not going to want to go near [Mike] Trout and [Mookie] Betts." 

The exact length of the contract is unknown, as Heyman said the Yankees want the extension to be for "six or seven years." That's significant, as it could hint that Judge and the Yankees are still nearly $30 million apart in negotiations after he filed for $21 million but received a club response of only $17 million before the arbitration deadline. 

Judge told reporters last week he "wants to be a Yankee for life," and he recently suggested he's just hitting his prime after he slashed .287/.373/.544 with 39 home runs and 98 RBI in 148 regular-season games last year. 

"I feel like I’m just getting started," the three-time All-Star who will turn 30 years old on April 26 said Wednesday, per Lindsey Adler of The Athletic. "I want to play for the next 10, 12 years — as long as I can." 

Judge also remarked about eventually becoming a designated hitter to prolong his career. 

New York begins the season at home versus the rival Boston Red Sox next Thursday afternoon.