Inside The Pinstripes

Hal Steinbrenner Considering Aaron Judge Extension This Offseason

Steinbrenner says he's "willing" to discuss extending Judge, but that nothing formal has transpired just yet.

Max Goodman

Aaron Judge may be entering the final year of his contract with the Yankees, but it sounds like managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner is open to extending his captain-like slugger.

Steinbrenner told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post that he's willing to work on a long-term contract with Judge, keeping New York's best player in pinstripes for years to come.

"Look, he’s a great Yankee. He’s one of the faces of the franchise,” Steinbrenner said of Judge. “He’s a great leader, great in the clubhouse. It’s definitely something I’m willing to talk to [general manager Brian Cashman] about. But nothing formal has happened yet.”

Content is unavailable

Judge had one of the best seasons of his career in 2021, silencing doubters that questioned his durability while flexing his top-tier skills in the batter's box. Playing in 148 games, and earning a trip to his third All-Star Game, Judge whacked 39 home runs with 98 RBI, 89 runs scored and a .916 OPS.

The only time Judge was sidelined was when the slugger tested positive for COVID-19 during one of the Yankees' internal outbreaks this summer. 

Judge has made it clear repeatedly that he wants to stay with the Yankees. At the end of the season, No. 99 mentioned that he wants to be a Yankee for life. Recently, he told Fanatics that his goal is to finish his career in pinstripes. 

In order for that to happen, however, New York will need to present the 29-year-old with a lucrative deal at some point in the near future. They can always wait until next winter to sign him as a free agent, but that would allow Judge to begin discussing possible contracts with other teams.

MORE:

Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

Published
Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

Home/News