Early in the season, BT was reluctant to offer Aaron Judge anything over seven years, given he was already playing in his age-30 season.
That hesitancy is long gone, just like the 57 baseball Judge has mashed in 2022.
“I was reluctant to give him the eight, nine years. Nothing. I’m doing it,” BT said. “if you tell me it’s a 10-year, if that’s what it’s gonna take.
“He’s going to moonwalk to 62, 63, 64 home runs. He’s gonna just obliterate the record book, because he’s already there.”
Players of similar ages have signed long-term deals in the past to mixed results, with Albert Pujols proving to be a cautionary tale, but BT’s worry about a similar situation unfolding with Judge is no more.
“He played almost 1,800 games with the Cardinals,” BT said of Pujols. “Aaron Judge has played only 710 with the Yankees. The body is just a lot more lively than it was for Pujols…even back in 2011. I am now of the belief that he’s going to age more gracefully than I thought he would.”
Also, there is the scary thought of where the Yanks would be if they don’t sign Judge to the long-term deal he seeks.
“As great as Ruth was, Ruth had other players,” BT said. “Ruth had Gehrig. Mantle had Yogi Berra. Derek Jeter had everybody. What he is doing is insane.
“Without Aaron Judge, this team stinks.”
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