Cashman: Yankees focused on Aaron Judge, not going to rush him

play

The New York Yankees want to make it clear that they want to sign Judge.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday at the MLB winter meetings that the team is continuing to have conversations with Judge and his representatives. He said Hal Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees, met with Judge in Florida in order to convince him to stay in pinstripes for the rest of his life.

Cashman said Steinbrenner puts his money where his mouth is.

Cashman said they would like to have their player back. As long as nothing happens, we would love to keep calling him our player every step of the way as he follows a career path that will lead him to the Hall of Fame. I want him to be in pinstripes the entire time.

Cashman said he was unaware of any plans for Judge to be at the winter meetings in San Diego, and that the team has no plans to meet with him.

Due to the large financial commitment that signing Judge would require, the Yankees are on hold with other free agents. Out of respect for Judge, the Yankees wouldn't put a timetable on him.

Cashman said he appreciated being in a position to have a conversation with a player of Judge's stature. We have been able to stay in the game because of the ownership here. That's good. There are a lot of teams that would love to have access to a player of his caliber but can't because of the huge demands.

Cashman said the team can't commit to making any other big moves if Judge isn't re-signed.

"All the dominoes are the same as a judge." Do we commit to something else if Judgenywayanyday somewhere else? Are we going to remake ourselves entirely? We don't want to do that. Cashman said that they have some really high-end young kids that are here.

Cashman acknowledged that the team is getting more and more risk by waiting for Judge to make a decision on his future.

Cashman said it was not like we had missed time. The more at risk you are the longer things are. If we are driving, it's easier, but we aren't.