After a historic season with the New York Yankees, outfielder Aaron Judge is free to sign with any team at this point.
After the World Series ends, Judge’s seasons of team control would have expired, and he will officially enter free agency for the first time in his career.
The Yankees had their chance to lock him up in spring training, but the player considered their eight-year, $230 million offer insufficient.
He bet on himself to have an excellent season and find a better deal as a free agent, and the bet paid off.
He slashed .311/.425/.686 with 62 home runs (a new American League record), 133 runs, 131 RBI, and 16 stolen base, plus some excellent defense in center and right field.
Judge was hands down the best player in baseball this year.
Now that he is a free agent, all bets are off even though he remains likely to re-sign with the Yankees.
The Yankees Are Favorites, But…
There are strong rumblings that the San Francisco Giants may go all in on the slugger, and the Los Angeles Dodgers may also be interested.
There is another team that could make a run at Judge: the New York Mets.
Mets fans would love to see him in Queens rather than in the Bronx.
“This guy looks pretty clean in the Orange & Blue,” Mets fan page GENY Mets report tweeted, with a fake picture of Judge wearing the Mets uniform.
This guy looks pretty clean in the Orange & Blue. 👀 #LGM pic.twitter.com/nVY00vKOcR
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) October 27, 2022
Judge would certainly boost the Mets chances, but it remains unclear if owner Steve Cohen will seriously pursue him.
He has the money and the motivation.
Judge would immediately become the Mets’ best player and increase their odds to win the World Series next year and beyond.
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