With the Yankees again thwarted by Houston, extending their dubious streak of five straight ALCS defeats, all eyes are on Aaron Judge, who struck a decidedly noncommittal tone in his postgame remarks Sunday night, giving the impression that his time in New York may very well be ending. While league insiders Jon Heyman and Buster Olney remain skeptical that Judge would seriously entertain the prospect of signing elsewhere, all bets are off once a player reaches free agency, where, more often than not, money will win over loyalty.
It's been suspected, with relative certainty, that New York’s stiffest competition in the Judge Sweepstakes will come from the Giants, who, according to Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media, are “prepared to spend whatever it takes” to land the prized slugger. Coming off a record-breaking season that saw him unseat Roger Maris for the most home runs in American League history, Judge won’t come cheap, likely commanding a deal in excess of $40 million annually. Miller doesn’t see that as an issue with the Giants better-equipped than most to sign the All-Star long-term. Carlos Rodon, Brandon Belt, Joc Pederson and Evan Longoria all come off the books this winter, giving the Giants plenty of ammo in their expected bidding war with the Yankees.
“They need a draw with the Dodgers and Padres in their division spending big money on big names,” a source told Miller on the condition of anonymity. “I know the Giants also are feeling pressure with the Warriors’ basketball team doing so well and spending big in the same market.”
San Francisco would represent a homecoming of sorts for Judge, who grew up a Giants fan in Linden, California, about 100 miles east of the Bay, before starring as an all-conference outfielder at Fresno State. That interest appears to be mutual with one source telling Miller San Francisco is thought to be Judge’s preferred landing spot, citing lingering resentment from failed extension talks with the Yankees this past spring.
Among other slights, Judge took issue with the Yankees leaking terms of their negotiations to the media, a betrayal of confidence the 30-year-old is still fuming over. The veteran was also dismayed by the abuse and toxicity teammates Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks experienced during prolonged struggles earlier this year, with the pressure and expectations of New York’s famously demanding fanbase reportedly “wearing” on Judge.
Judge has long maintained an appreciation for New York’s rich baseball history, dating back to the days of Ruth and Gehrig in the early 20th century. The prestige of wearing pinstripes can’t be discounted, but neither can the Giants’ deep pockets with President of Baseball Ops Farhan Zaidi prepared to make Judge an offer he can’t refuse. “Judge is at the top of the Giants’ list and they won’t be underbid,” one source said. “If they miss out, it won’t be because of money.”
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