Many New York Yankees fans were hopeful that Aaron Judge would agree to a new contract extension with the club before the 2022 season. However, Judge rejected the Yankees' $213.5 million offer on Opening Day. All he's done since is hit homers at a torrid pace, equaling the scientifically altered Barry Bonds with 30 dingers before the All-Star break.

In short, Judge's gamble has paid off– so far.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner was asked about the Judge contract. He and the star slugger can definitely agree on one thing, per Marly Rivera of ESPN.

“No matter what happens during the season, we're not going to give any updates. We're just not going to,” Steinbrenner said Wednesday afternoon. “I completely agree with Aaron, and still do, that in no way, shape or form can this be a distraction. So the sole focus is winning a championship. That's all anyone needs to worry about right now.”

Steinbrenner said that “no matter what happens”, the Yankees aren't “going to give any updates” on the Judge contract situation.

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The Yankees owner agrees with Judge in that the contract shouldn't distract from the club's main goal in 2022: to win a championship. It certainly hasn't impeded the Yankees much in that regard.

The club is fresh off of a 16-0 pounding of the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into a series against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Judge and company are 59-23, the best record in baseball in 2022.

They're right on track to meet Steinbrenner's goal. But if Judge helps lead the Yankees to their first World Series title since 2009, Yankees fans are officially going to fall in love.

And Steinbrenner will have to pay up.