Despite the rumors and reports, the New York Yankees failed to reach a contract extension with Aaron Judge before MLB's Opening Day. Now, with arbitration and free agency looming, the word around the league is that Judge could be heading out the door after this season.
The talented outfielder, however, doesn't want to talk about that just now.
It's All About Winning, Says Judge
Judge knows the team is still in debt to the fans and has one goal and one goal only, and that's to win the World Series once and for all:
“You think about it, but it comes down to: I’ve got games to win, Judge said after his final Spring Training appearance. “It’s been a while since Yankee fans have held a championship in the city. I’ve got a job to do: to go out there and win it for them.” “I came up here,’’ the OF continued. “I don’t know anything else except going out there and trying to win a championship. That’s always been my goal. That’s what you do when you wear pinstripes.”Free Agency Is Complicated
For the first time in his career, Judge could test the waters and enter free agency in 2023. But he must stay focused on the present instead of trying to play it safe, claims teammate Aaron Hicks:
“For some people, free agency is a great experience,’’ Hicks said. “And for some people, it’s not. Having to go another year [before hitting the market], worrying about your health and all the other things that come into play, it could make you play a little safer.” Judge Won't Lose His Focus, Says Aaron Hicks
Even so, Hicks doesn't think his impending free agency will take a toll on Judge's game, although he expects both parties to come up with a solution sooner rather than later:
“I don’t think it would impact him, but when you’re in contract talks, you definitely don’t want it to drag into the season,’’ Hicks continued. “You want to focus on the season, which is why I think it’s so important for him to want to get it done. It eases your mind and you’re at peace with whatever happens. You kind of have a resolution. The longer it lingers, it can make it tough to play. I hope they come up with something soon and he’s a Yankee for the rest of his career.” There's Always Pressure
Playing for the Yankees comes with a lot of pressure, and skipper Aaron Boone knows it. Every year, it's World Series or bust:
“Sure. But that’s the beauty of getting to play here, getting to work here [and] getting to play for this franchise," Boone said. "The expectations and the interest, not only in the city of New York, but across the world, is different. That’s a privilege.”Patience is running out and this might as well be Boone's final shot with the Yankees, so he better start making the most of that privilege.
]]>The Inquisitr
