Column: A feel-good start to a feel-good baseball season
Feel-good stories weren’t hard to find as major league spring training games opened in Arizona and FloridaMARCH 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AARON JUDGE #99 - CENTER FIELDER - NEW YORK YANKEES
58 HR •
144 RBI •
.322 AVG
58 HR
144 RBI
.322 AVG
Will ease into action Judge stated Sunday that he'll play in every other game at the start of spring training, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.
Impact Judge is healthy entering Grapefruit League play, but it makes sense for New York to be cautious with the slugger given his rash of injuries over the past three seasons. As long as he's able to avoid injury, Judge is expected to slot in as the Yankees' starting right fielder and bat near the top of the team's batting order.
MARCH 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Having a ball: Judge, Yankees glad to see some seats filled
New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge tossed several balls into the stands as souvenirs as the team began exhibition play in Tampa, FloridaFEBRUARY 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bruce makes it to Yankees, 3 1/2 years later than he thought
Jay Bruce made it to the New York Yankees, 3 1/2 years later than he first thoughtFEBRUARY 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brett Gardner, Clint Frazier build bond while competing
In Brett Gardner’s mind, he’s a starter, even though he knows the New York Yankees project him as Clint Frazier’s backup in left fieldFEBRUARY 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yet to discuss extension Judge and the Yankees have not yet engaged in talks about a contract extension, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Impact Judge isn't set to become a free agent until 2023 -- next season will be his final year of arbitration -- so the lack of extension talks is not necessarily telling when it comes to interpreting the Yankees' interest in locking him up long term. Still, the slugger has missed over 140 regular-season games over the past three seasons, so it wouldn't be shocking if New York has some level of trepidation about his ability to stay on the field. A healthy and productive 2021 campaign would likely ease those fears and set Judge up for a massive payday.
FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge says his focus is on winning, not contract extension With free agency looming in two years, Aaron Judge came into spring training with his eyes set on one thing: winning.
FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • MCALL.COM
Yankees’ Judge hopes to avoid another stretch of solitary Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is looking to another stretch of solitary confinement after this year’s postseason.
FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Seattle doing damage control with players after exec's video
Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott Servais are doing damage control with players who were directly mentioned or referenced by former team CEO Kevin Mat...FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Yankees finalize deals for Brett Gardner, Justin Wilson
Brett Gardner and the New York Yankees have finalized a $5.15 million, one-year contract for the outfielder to return for a 14th seasonFEBRUARY 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Topps artist finds calling following brain injury It dropped on Monday afternoon: An Aaron Judge card by artist Lauren Taylor that is unlike anything you’ve seen on a Topps baseball card bef...
FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • MLB.COM
Gardner's return won't displace Frazier as starter in left
Brett Gardner’s return to the Yankees won’t displace Clint Frazier from taking over as New York’s starting left fielderFEBRUARY 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Still without Gardner, Yankees ready for spring training
The Yankees start spring training this week without Brett Gardner for the first time since 2006, and manager Aaron Boone isn’t certain whether New York will try to re-sign the last...FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jay Bruce agrees to minor league contract with Yankees
Outfielder Jay Bruce has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Yankees and will try to win a job at big league spring trainingFEBRUARY 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Aaron Judge’s future, expectations for Gary Sánchez and more: Yankees mailbag If Judge puts together two largely full seasons, he can hit free agency in a good position or work with the Yankees on an extension.
FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
AL East teams at the start of spring training
A team-by-team look at the American League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catcher...FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Changing offseason routine Judge has changed his offseason routine, working on his flexibility rather than only lifting weights, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Impact Judge has battled a number of injuries in the past few seasons, including oblique and calf strains. Across the past three campaigns, he's spent a combined 146 days on the injured list. While these types of reports are hardly unique at this time of the offseason, Judge has the potential to be a standout source of power in the 2021 season if he can remain on the field.
FEBRUARY 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Lindor, Bryant, Bellinger, Seager get big-money deals
Francisco Lindor, Kris Bryant, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager were among 112 players who agreed to one-year contracts ahead of the deadline to exchange proposed arbitration salari...JANUARY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reports: Corey Kluber, DJ LeMahieu make deals with Yankees - The Boston Globe New York also came to terms with slugger Aaron Judge, avoiding arbitration.
JANUARY 16, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM
Judge, Yankees avoid arbitration (source) The Yankees avoided arbitration with one of their biggest stars on Friday, agreeing with Aaron Judge to a one-year deal for $10.175 million,...
JANUARY 15, 2021 • MLB.COM
Judge, Yankees avoid arbitration (source) The Yankees avoided arbitration with one of their biggest stars on Friday, agreeing with Aaron Judge to a one-year deal for $10.175 million,...
JANUARY 15, 2021 • MLB.COM
Judge, Yankees agree at to $10,175,000, 1-year contract
Slugging Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees avoided arbitration when they agreed to a one-year contract worth $10,175,000JANUARY 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Avoids arbitration with Yankees Judge signed a one-year, $10.175 million contract with the Yankees on Friday to avoid arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact The 28-year-old will receive an eight-figure salary in 2021after posting a .257/.336/.554 slash line with nine homers in 28 games last season. Judge figures to be in the MVP race again this season if he can stay healthy, which isn't a guarantee given his injury issues over the past three seasons.
JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
A pinstriped dilemma: Could Aaron Judge eventually be the odd-man out with the Yankees? You know what Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton were going to be, in addition to being the biggest bookends the Yankees had ever had: They w...
DECEMBER 19, 2020 • MCALL.COM
From Cape Cod to Alaska, college leagues eye MLB changes
From Cape Cod to Alaska, wood-bat college summer leagues are monitoring closely as Major League Baseball reshuffles its development pipeline and enters the amateur spaceDECEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
