BALTIMORE — Aaron Judge made it clear that he did not want his season evaluated series-by-series, day-by-day through the lens of a contract extension he turned down. The Yankees slugger said that is why he wanted it all worked out by opening day and why he wouldn’t be talking about it.
Through 36 games, it could not have been more in Judge’s favor. He leads the big leagues in home runs with 14 and ranks second in slugging (.692), tied for second in extra-base hits (21) and third in OPS (1.076).
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said back then he knew the pressure of Judge betting on himself by turning down the deal worth $230 million would not affect the slugger at all.
