MLB hot stove season is coming.
And that means one thing: We’re all going to be waiting on the edge of our seats to see where Aaron Judge — the biggest name in free agency this winter — is going (or staying).
The free agent slugger is coming off one of the best offensive seasons in Major League history, and he’s about to get PAID by someone. Will it be the New York Yankees? Can the crosstown New York Mets grab him with owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets? Will the California native want to go West and join the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants?
There are a lot of factors — including who will be the highest bidder — but we’re here to help Judge with his decision. Let’s rank the contenders by desirability:
6
Chicago Cubs
You have to list any team that can back up a Brinks truck, so I’ll throw in the Cubs, who could give Judge a ton of money … but it doesn’t feel like they’re going to contend anytime soon. So I’ll put them last, given that Judge probably wants to get paid AND have a shot to get a ring right away while he’s still in his prime.
Sign Judge. Sign Correa. Sign deGrom. Trade for Ohtani. @CHGO_Cubs
— Luke Stuckmeyer (@LukeStuckmeyer) November 6, 2022
5
Boston Red Sox
A team that COULD theoretically pay him … but is that what would cure what ails them? Judge isn’t a pitcher, obviously.
Plus, the optics of leaving for the Yankees’ biggest rivals and having to play them a bunch? Eh.
After being booed by Yankee fans at the end of the year where he broke the AL home run record, if I were Aaron Judge, I’d hold this free agency over NY heads until two days before the deadline and then sign with the Red Sox.
— pagemasta (@AdamPage85) November 7, 2022
4
San Francisco Giants
It’s hard to ignore the buzz around the Giants, the team Judge grew up rooting for as a Northern Californian.
He’d immediately come in and turbo-charge an offense that was kind of meh last year. But with a pitching staff that could include Carlos Rodon again if he re-signs — worth asking: if they spend all their free money on Judge, could they even afford him? — the Giants would be intriguing on paper.
Problem is, they’re in the same division as another team higher on the list.
. 🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
Aaron Judge
🕯 to the 🕯
Giants
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯 https://t.co/zbMFnGlsbd— Niko 🌚 (@NLabendeira) November 6, 2022
3
Los Angeles Dodgers
This is the team you join if you want to contend for a title tomorrow, the team filled with studs all over the lineup — from Freddie Freeman to Mookie Betts to Will Smith — and a top-to-bottom fantastic pitching staff.
It probably means they lose Trea Turner and maybe legendary future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw … but it might be worth it.
#Dodgers waste no time…Aaron Judge is a Dodger!!! pic.twitter.com/mC8Bm0QArw
— Bleednblue (@BleednblueJohn) November 6, 2022
2
New York Mets
Why them ahead of the Dodgers? Because if Judge wants the most money out of his next contract, this might be the route.
Let me illustrate:
Quick reminder for Mets fans (photo by @TheKendallBaker) pic.twitter.com/cbyaBkoRuN
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) October 30, 2020
Yep, this is all about Cohen, who just proved he’s willing to open up his wallet to keep closer Edwin Diaz for an absurd amount of money. Would that mean the end of Jacob deGrom in New York? Probably.
Judge could also be sold on staying in New York. Problem is, there’s another New York team with money to spend …
Future Met, Aaron Judge pointing to our Batting Champ. 🐿️👨⚖️ #LGM pic.twitter.com/VvTGoTw9i7
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) November 2, 2022
1
New York Yankees
It’s a fairly easy sell: The Yankees know they can spend a fortune while also getting to convince Judge that they were close to the World Series last year and can build on that. Heck, maybe they can even say, “If you take a little less than what others are offering, we can use that to keep improving.”
But this is the best option for the slugger as it stands right now.
