TAMPA — Aaron Judge desires to remain a Yankee and Brian Cashman mentioned he desires to maintain the fitting fielder in The Bronx.
But Cashman mentioned Monday the 2 sides haven’t begun speaking about an extension with Judge about to enter his closing yr earlier than free company.
“Our hope would be that we’d like to have him back if we can,’’ Cashman said Monday, as the Yankees had their first official workout of the spring. “Just like trades and free agents, you have to be on the same page and [have] common ground. The only way to find that out is to have conversations first and foremost. Those will happen. … But we’re happy he’s a Yankee and it’d be great if we could make him a Yankee for longer than just this year.”
Cashman famous he’d be keen to proceed speaking with Judge’s camp into free company, if it will get that far, however he declined to say when negotiations may start between the 2 sides.
For his half, Judge has mentioned he desires to be “a Yankee for life,” however has additionally added that nothing is assured.
The Yankees have already got Giancarlo Stanton below contract till 2027 and each sluggers have had damage issues.
“We have not engaged yet, but certainly we’re on the clock with that,’’ Cashman said of Judge’s status. “Generally, [players] prefer to get it done before the season so they don’t have to think about it. But that’s what agents are for at the same time. … I guess stay tuned.”
The Yankees added a brand new catcher, Ben Rortvedt, on Sunday, to staff with Kyle Higashioka, however that doesn’t imply Cashman isn’t nonetheless wanting on the place.
“We know Kyle,” Cashman mentioned. “He’s put himself in a good position. But at the same time, we welcome any competition and newcomers to try to push their way into the mix. At the very least, going into this as of this particular day, the tandem of [Higashioka] and Ben, our expectation would be that those guys combined up and [Aaron Boone] and his staff will determine who to go with and when and why. But my job always is to continue to find ways to improve the roster. As of [Monday], this is the best version of that roster and I’m not closing my mind to future opportunities if they present themselves.”
Neither has confirmed he can begin within the majors. Asked if there can be a platoon between the lefty-hitting Rortvedt and righty-swinging Higashioka, Boone mentioned it might play itself out.
Domingo German, who handled shoulder and again points final season, had a few of that happen once more in January when he was throwing on his personal in the course of the MLB lockout, based on Boone, placing the right-hander “a little behind.”
He’s begun a throwing program. Asked if German’s well being scare might need been impacted by not having the ability to talk with the staff in the course of the work stoppage, Boone mentioned, “Probably a little bit. It’s hard for me to know that for sure, but it probably didn’t help.”
Boone added Jameson Taillon, coming off offseason ankle surgical procedure, could possibly be prepared for Opening Day.
After Boone famous the priority the staff had over the likelihood it is likely to be with out some key gamers when the Yankees play in Toronto on account of Canada’s COVID protocols relating to unvaccinated individuals, Cashman added Monday that the group will “ultimately have the conversations with people involved and then respect their ultimate decisions in the end. We’ll be going to Toronto with what we go with and we’ll have to deal with it.”
When requested if any of the gamers that have been unvaccinated a yr in the past had since been vaccinated, Cashman mentioned there had been, however didn’t say what number of or who.
“Certainly our hope is to have everyone vaccinated but it’s also something — I assume the basic agreement stays silent on that and still becomes a personal choice for people,’’ Cashman said. “At the end of the day, you just have the conversation, or two or three, and then you have to respect people’s ultimate decision.”
Zack Britton mentioned he’s somewhat over a month into his throwing program after final yr’s UCL surgical procedure and making “good progress.” He nonetheless hopes to pitch sooner or later late this season.
“When I had the surgery, there was definitely a possibility to be pitching with the team this year,’’ Britton said. “If everything goes as planned, hopefully that’s in the cards for me.”
— Additional reporting by Greg Joyce
