The New York Yankees' contract extension talks with star right fielder Aaron Judge have taken centerstage ahead of Opening Day. Judge, who made it clear that he would not continue contract talks into the season, set Opening Day as a deadline. The Yankees made an offer to Judge that would have paid him a franchise record average annual salary potentially greater than that of former star third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Judge, however, turned down the offer, essentially making this a walk year for the slugger. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the team will attempt to re-sign him again during the offseason, when the two sides could very well come to an agreement. Judge is making a potentially huge mistake by turning down New York's extension offer. Here's why.

2. Judge's extension- or lack thereof- will be a distraction all year

Judge just so happens to play in New York, where the media market is more frenzied than any location in baseball. The star outfielder didn't want his extension talks to spill into the season for a reason. However, it would have been better for everyone involved if Judge had been able to get the extension done before Opening Day. Now, speculation will increase by the day. Every 0-4 performance or three-strikeout game will be accompanied by questions about whether or not the Yankees should re-sign Judge. The trade deadline, a time where Judge's name would never be mentioned, will now come with speculation about whether New York should deal him before they potentially lose him for nothing in the offseason. While the slugger had good intentions in not wanting to talk business during the regular season, the fact of the matter is, this news of no extension isn't going away anytime soon, particularly in the Yankees' universe.

1. Health may not be on Judge's side again

Judge, who has had a history of injury problems across his large frame, enjoyed a clean bill of health for just the second time in his career in 2021. Unsurprisingly, he enjoyed an MVP-caliber season. When healthy, Judge is one of the very best players in baseball and a legitimate threat to bring home the American League MVP award. However, he just hasn't been able to consistently stay on the field in the majors. The 29-year-old has played 140 or more games just twice and is seemingly always dealing with some sort of ailment. Judge is taking a huge gamble that his health won't betray him in 2022. Of course, the towering slugger could stay healthy once again and bring home the MVP award and lead the league in home runs. Or he could endure an injury-riddled season at the worst possible time, robbing himself of a lucrative contract. Judge had a chance to be one of the MLB's highest-paid outfielders with an offer from the Yankees that was on the table ahead of Opening Day. Are the extra dollars he stands to make really worth the risk of potentially losing out on a big contract due to injury? Judge- and the Yankees- are about to find out.