Opening Day is here, but as of Friday morning, a contract extension for Aaron Judge was not.
But the Yankees have reportedly made an offer to make Judge the highest-paid position player in franchise history, based annual value.
According to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yanks and Judge continue to talk about a potential deal that would keep the slugging outfielder in New York, and according to Sherman, the deal would give him the highest AAV ever by a Yankees position player (the highest in franchise history belongs to Gerrit Cole).
Of course, even if his AAV is sky high, the Yankees could in theory still be only offering a two or three-year deal, while Judge, soon to be 30 years old, is likely seeking more security for what could be one of his only cracks at a big contract while he is a star in his prime.
Heyman reported earlier in the offseason that the Yanks were willing to pay Judge in the range of $30 million per year, which would be a few million more than what Alex Rodriguez received per year when he signed a mega contract extension in 2008, worth $275 million.
Judge has said he wants to remain a Yankee, while general manager Brian Cashman has echoed that sentiment. But Judge has indicated that once Opening Day arrives, he would shift his focus to the season ahead, and wait for the end of the season, and free agency. So the clock is ticking to make a deal.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch