Yankees general manager Brian Cashman WON’T say whether he’s made contact with Aaron Judge’s reps

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would not reveal on Friday whether or not the team has had contact with Aaron Judge’s representatives, as the slugger seeks a (rightly) huge contract this off-season.

Judge and the organization failed to reach an extension earlier last season and the value of the outfielder has continued to rise after a historic year.

The outfielder hit an AL-record 62 home runs with a .311 batting average and is considered an MVP favorite.

Aaron Judge had a historic season but struggled in the playoffs when the Yankees retired

Judge will reportedly enforce a contract worth at least $300 million — far more than the seven-year $213.5 million offer he turned down at the start of the season — though it remains to be seen whether the Yankees will be the ones who will give it to him.

“When you make these commitments to players, you know he’s a fan favorite,” Cashman said at a news conference Friday. “He communicates extremely well with our fans. He is respected within that clubhouse, handles his business as best he can.

“He’s an elite performer – one of the best, if not the best player in the game. That said, these are the kind of players you want to keep and keep for as long as possible.”

Brian Cashman called Judge a ‘fan favorite’ but faces competition to keep the outfield star

While the Yankees would like to keep Judge, they are making “emergency plans,” like ESPN wrotein case they can’t keep their homegrown star.

Unsurprisingly, the four-time All-Star is a hot item in the league, and NL West enemies the Giants and Dodgers have both been linked to the Yankees slugger.

A ‘person of knowledge of the Giants’ thinking told NJ Advance Media that San Francisco “will not be undercut” for the star.

Meanwhile, MLB.com has: reported that the Dodgers could become “serious players” in the bidding war for Judge’s services.

Judge hit 62 home runs in a historic regular season and earned a huge contract

Whether Judge’s time in New York is up or not, it’s clear how much his team values ​​him.

“Of course I hope he’s back and forever a Yankee,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. “I can’t think of a better man you would want to lead your team and your organization, and hopefully it will all work out.

“But my conversations with him now are just communicating with him through the winter and hoping it works. But of course that’s above me.’

While Judge had a regular season for the books, his postseason was one to forget.

He hit only .063 when the Yankees were defeated by the Astros in the ALCS, and was even booed by fans as the team’s offense struggled.

Free Agency begins on November 6 for Judge and other eligible players.