Aaron Judge will likely remain a Yankee for the rest of his career after signing a nine-year deal on Wednesday morning, and Yankee fans reportedly have Hal Steinbrenner to thank for that.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Yankees owner played a major role in locking up a Judge deal in the final moments amid rumors that both the Giants and Padres were making big moves to sign the American League MVP.
Per Martino, the Yankees had an offer on the table of eight years and $320 million for Judge as of Tuesday night. Then, the Padres came in with a $400 million offer, while the Giants had a $360 million offer on the table, so Steinbrenner went to work.
Steinbrenner reportedly called Judge and asked him bluntly if he wanted to be a Yankee. Judge, who has publicly expressed his desire to be a forever Yankee, told Steinbrenner yes, but needed a ninth year added onto the Yankees’ offer. So Steinbrenner assured it, and the deal was done.
Steinbrenner has received plenty of criticism over the years for his lack of involvement on big-name free agents, but according to multiple reports, and comments from Brian Cashman, he had a big part in keeping the team’s biggest star in pinstripes, and had a strong desire to make sure Judge didn’t go anywhere.
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