YANKEES

'I want to be a Yankee for life': Judge wants to re-sign with the Yankees, but will he?

Pete Caldera
MLB Writer

BOSTON – In an open platform, Aaron Judge sent a message to Hal Steinbrenner.

“I want to be a Yankee for life,’’ the slugger said late Tuesday night.

“I want to wear these pinstripes for the rest of my career and represent this great organization and bring a championship back to the city.’’

That last part was extinguished in 2021 following the Yankees’ 6-2 loss in the AL wild card game at Fenway Park, with the rival Red Sox moving onto the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay.

Judge will be in Tampa in four months, entering his free-agent walk year, and “I guess you could say that’’ this winter’s discussions – or non-discussions – would impact his chances of remaining a Yankee.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge runs on his pop out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Would Steinbrenner wait to commit to Judge long-term, as he moves into his age 30 season next year?

Big pay-day for Aaron Judge?

Judge holds certain advantages, coming off his best season since his 2017 rookie year (AL MVP runner-up), slashing .287/.373/.544 with 39 homers and 98 RBI in 148 games.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, gestures to fans after a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New York. The Yankees won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

He’s also due a hefty raise from the $10.175 million he made this season, though the commitment – to a player who turns 30 in April – would be upwards of $200 million.

And they’ve already got an outfielder on the club who fits that description, not to mention a right-handed starter.

More:What's next for the Yankees after falling to Red Sox in AL wild card game?

Plus, are the Yankees content to wait for their shortstop prospects, or would they jump into this free-agent class out of need right now?

These are all things to consider, along with how well they’d expect Judge to age as an outfielder, as the Yankees move into another intriguing offseason – sooner than they had hoped.

Why it's complicated 

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge gestures to fans after a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in New York. The Yankees won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

As much as he wants to stay in the Bronx, Judge said, “You never know what the future holds for you.’’

“All I can really do is continue to show up here and try to lead these guys and give all I can to this team and this city every single day.’’

Judge was undoubtedly the Yankees’ team MVP this year, and he’ll be on a lot of top-five AL MVP ballots.

More:Anthony Rizzo enjoying his Bronx stay, but will it endure?

A few in-season maintenance days by manager Aaron Boone seemed to pay off for Judge, whose mid-July bout with COVID prevented him from exceeding 148 games and getting to 40 homers and 100 RBI.

You’d anticipate some sort of negotiations would begin shortly, but there’s also the matter of an expiring CBA in two months and the real chance of a stalemate between owners and players.

That could cancel the Winter Meetings and result in a frozen free-agent period and eventually a work stoppage.

Fun times.

How will Yankees respond? 

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge celebrates after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Tampa Bay Rays and clinch berth in AL wild-card game.

Judge's on-field persona in 2022 won't change. 

"Whatever happens on the flip side, with contracts and this and that, (or) getting traded, it’s out of my control,'' Judge said. 

Being “a good teammate and a great leader for this team’’ are his responsibility.

And there’s “no better place to play, no better organization to be part of’’ than the Yankees, based on their history, their current staff and “the opportunity to go to the postseason every year.’’

Judge talked about the sacrifices he’s made and what he’s given to the club, and how he’s been given a lot back in return.

More:Gerrit Cole, Yankees' $324M man, fails to deliver in AL Wild Card loss to Red Sox

“I want to bring it home here, you know?’’ Judge said of finally experiencing that only-in-New York tickertape championship parade.

“We’ll see what happens.’’

Hal, the ball is in your court.

Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.

Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera