Free agent slugger and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge is close to making a decision about his home for the next eight, nine, or perhaps even ten years.
The former New York Yankees star is still a candidate to re-sign in the Bronx, but the San Francisco Giants are determined to pry him away from his home since 2016.
Other teams may enter the bidding, too.
The Yankees just extended their general manager, Brian Cashman, the one who drafted and developed Judge.
It’s unclear if that will have any impact on Judge’s decision to stay or go, but what we know is that the team appears to be planning their offseason around the All-Star slugger.
As they should.
“Brian Cashman: ‘Listen, if Aaron Judge signs somewhere else, do we pivot and do something else? Do we remake ourselves completely? I have no idea. It’s not what we want to do,'” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted.
Brian Cashman: "Listen, if Aaron Judge signs somewhere else, do we pivot and do something else? Do we remake ourselves completely? I have no idea. It's not what we want to do."
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) December 6, 2022
Cashman’s remarks do project that the organization has Judge as Plan A and Plan B.
The Yankees Appear To Be Focusing On Judge
There is no one like Judge in free agency, but pivoting to other options may not be so difficult if Judge decides to depart.
If that’s the case, the Yankees will likely make Brandon Nimmo a top priority and also bring another bat or top arm, like Carlos Rodon.
If they secure Judge, well, they might be a bit more cautious for the remainder of the offseason.
The ball is in Judge’s court, so to speak.
He knows the Yankees want and need him.
Cashman appears to be working night and day to make that happen.
Everything else will happen when it’s due time.
Cashman does know, however, that there might be a scenario in which Judge is not a part of the team.
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