The Yankees likely cost themselves a pretty penny by not locking Aaron Judge up to a contract extension before the season, and 62 home runs later, Judge’s decision to turn down $230 million offer looks like a stroke of genius.
“He’s a great player,” Brian Cashman said. “He bet on himself and it’s the all-time best bet, right? The way he navigated the season. Obviously he was healthy, and we know what he’s capable of when he’s healthy. He’s always putting up huge numbers when he stays healthy, and he’s shown he can stay healthy for a number of years now.”
Judge will demand a massive payday after setting the franchise home run record and competing for the Triple Crown until the final days of the regular season, and the pressure will be on Cashman and company to keep their face of the franchise in the Bronx.
But Cashman says he was more enjoying the ride during Judge’s historic home run chase.
“It’s a remarkable accomplishment,” Cashman said. “It was very special to watch…he captivated the entire baseball world. Doing it while you’re on a team that’s winning 99 games and competing for a postseason berth and a division title, just made it that much more special for this franchise and our fans.
“It was a great gift he gave to the industry and to our fanbase, what he was able to accomplish. It was amazing to watch.”
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