According to the latest rumors, the New York Yankees escaped a major trade blunder involving Aaron Judge with the Atlanta Braves years ago.
The Yankees’ star outfielder Aaron Judge has been a major contributor to the team’s success over the past few years. After making a debut in 2016, the slugger rose through the ranks in no time and became the face of the second-largest sports franchise in the world. Moreover, after the record-breaking last season, Aaron Judge is now the captain of the New York Yankees lineup.
However, the Yankees faced a major scare this off-season after Judge threatened to leave. After much contemplation, the slugger decided to stay in New York and possibly signed up for being a forever Yankee. Meanwhile, fresh rumors suggest that the Bronx Bombers almost lost Aaron Judge a year ago due to a stalled trade deal with a rival team.
Yankees Offered Aaron Judge To Atlanta Braves In A Trade Deal
When Aaron Judge arrived in 2016, no one in their wildest imaginations predicted his rise in such a short span. But here we are celebrating Judge’s 62 home runs record and his multiple glories. Meanwhile, for New York Yankees, Judge is the best thing that happened to them in a long while. With him, the team managed to enter playoffs for six consecutive years and also retain the AL East Division title. However, it was recently revealed that the Yankees almost traded Judge to the Atlanta Braves years ago the slugger burst into the scene.
According to MLB analyst Jeff Passan, a trade deal was drafted between the Yankees and Braves involving around ten players. Apparently, the Yanks agreed to ship out Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Gary Sanchez, Manny Bañuelos, and Ian Clarkin to the Braves in exchange for Jason Heyward, Andrelton Simmons, B.J. Upton, Chris Johnson, and David Carpenter. Fortunately for the Yankees, the deal fell apart, and Judge stayed back. The decision not to trade Judge proved to be a wise one for the Yankees since he went on to become one of the finest players in the whole of MLB.
Yankees Toiled Hard To Retain Judge This Year
Meanwhile, Aaron Judge ensured the New York Yankees fought hard to retain him in the squad this season. He boosted his trade value with a record-breaking 2022 season. And as a result, the rival teams were ready to offer Judge as much money as he required. However, Judge’s loyalty and love for NYC drew him back as he signed a nine-year extension contract for $360 million.
On the other hand, the newly minted Yankees captain, Aaron Judge, is leading from the front in the ongoing spring training. Just yesterday, he hit his first home run of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Moreover, the slugger has offered to sacrifice his field position in the right to end the team’s left-field woes. Furthermore, the plan is likely to be set in motion this week.
