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Marly RiveraESPN Writer
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Aaron Judge Intentions to “wear a nice suit” while a three-person arbitration panel discusses whether or not the New York Yankees Their All-Star outfielder should be paid the $21 million salary that he feels he is worth.
Sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney that the hearing will take place Friday.
Judge stated Tuesday that he was looking forward to the Yankees’ game against The Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay Rays He confirmed the date at Tropicana field, but he didn’t confirm it. “I have had players from my agency who went through it and they didn’t like it. It was actually a good experience, according to other people who have gone through it. [yourself].”
In 2017, Judge’s record-setting season as Rookie of the year, Dellin Betances was Yankees’ reliever. Betances spoke openly with his teammates about the hostilities that occurred in the arbitration room.
“[Betances] Just didn’t like the whole process. … Judge stated that he gave a lot to the organization. It’s likely to be difficult, but it’s easy for me. While I love this team and the organization as a whole, there is a business aspect to it that I don’t enjoy at times. [either] You have to go through it, then you can move on.”
Aaron Boone, Judge’s manager praised Judge’s professionalism throughout the process. It hasn’t affected his popularity nor his performance. MLB released the results of All-Star balloting earlier Tuesday. Judge led all players with 1,512 368 votes. Judge will become the first Yankee major to vote for the All-Star Game after Alex Rodriguez in 2008.
Judge’s 25 homers so far this season rank as the most in major league baseball. He also became the fourth player in franchise history to hit at least 25 homers in Yankees’ first 60 games. This joins Babe Ruth (28) and 26 (30) respectively, and Mickey Mantle (27) in 1956.
Boone stated, “Whatever happens there… I know Aaron’s focus and what he wants and I don’t expect any to get in his way of that.” “This player is obviously great, but he’s also a man that’s really good from the neck down, as far handling whatever comes his own way, from stardom through being one the faces of baseball to becoming a New York Yankee. Things that might happen, or inevitably occur, in this instance contract situations and arbitration, and he’s equipped to handle them and not impact what he does behind the scenes.
Judge vented his frustration about not being able to sign a long-term extension with the Yankees. This is the club with whom he has repeatedly stated that he wants the rest of his major league career. Judge set a deadline for negotiating an extension that would prevent him from becoming free agent. He and the Yankees didn’t reach an agreement. General manager Brian Cashman stated that the team had offered a seven year, $213.5m extension. This, combined with the $17million it offered in arbitration, would have made this package just over $230M.
Judge declined to address Cashman’s rare act of revealing terms of Yankees’ offer publicly. He described it as the “business side” of baseball and he repeated that sentiment on Tuesday. Sources told ESPN that Cashman’s release of the figures did not go down well in the Yankees clubhouse.
Unless an agreement is reached, the parties will conduct the hearing via videoconference. Judge has stated that he would not allow a contract extension to be reached in-season. In 2019, the Yankees set a precedent when pitchers were allowed to pitch. Luis Severino Shortly before his arbitration hearing, he agreed to a four year extension of $40 million.
Judge stated that Judge’s focus is on winning games, and not on whether the impending hearing was on his mind.
“We are the best team in league. “That’s what I’ve been thinking about,” he stated. “Being here with these guys, and what we’ve done the past couple of months has made it quite easy to concentrate on baseball. You could get too caught up in arbitration and contract stuff. Agents are for that.”
AROLDIS CHAPMAN UPDATE
Yankees closer Aroldischapman was on the injured list since May 24 with left Achilles tendonitis. He threw a live batting session at Tampa’s minor league complex earlier Tuesday. He seems to be struggling this season due to the injury, especially in his five previous appearances in which he had a 14.73 ERA and gave up 6 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Clay Holmes He has excelled in his transition to closer, not allowing any runs in 29 consecutive relief appearances (31/3 innings pitched) from April 9 through June 18, surpassing Mariano Rivera’s 28-game streak for longest scoreless streak by a Yankees pitcher.
Chapman was asked if he felt that Holmes had taken over his role.
“I don’t see it that way. Chapman stated that he is past the point in his career where he would be willing to fight for a closer role. “When I made it to the major leagues they offered me the opportunity to close, and I took advantage of it. The same thing is happening today. [Holmes]. I want to be healthy again. [to] Any role you can. He’s doing an outstanding job and deserves the position he holds.”