New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner sounds prepared to ensure Aaron Judge never wears another uniform.
Steinbrenner revealed Tuesday that he's already had multiple one-on-one talks with the star outfielder, who's now a free agent.
"I've absolutely conveyed that I want him to be a Yankee for the rest of his life," Steinbrenner said, according to Newsday's David Lennon. "No doubt about that. He knows that."
Judge, widely considered the American League MVP front-runner, rejected a $215-million extension offer from the Yankees before the 2022 season began. He then produced a year for the ages, hitting an AL-record 62 homers while also taking a run at the Triple Crown.
Steinbrenner and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman now find themselves in a tricky situation regarding Judge's future. While the richest franchise in baseball can easily afford him, the 30-year-old's price tag has skyrocketed beyond their initial offer in the spring.
New York faces a tremendous amount of competition for the outfielder's services, with the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly emerging as a suitor and the San Francisco Giants - who Judge rooted for as a boy - also being repeatedly linked to him.
The Yankees also have other business to tend to this winter. They took care of one important move Tuesday, re-signing first baseman Anthony Rizzo - a close friend of Judge's - to a two-year, $40-million contract. Steinbrenner made it clear that whatever Judge costs won't impact any other potential offseason moves.
"We have plenty of ability - and Aaron and I talked about this - to make other things happen, too," the owner said, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.
