The biggest perceived blockade to the San Fransisco Giants acquiring Aaron Judge has been torn down.
The Aaron Judge sweepstakes are on. The big-time slugger who set an American League record for single-season home runs in 2022 has hit the open market.
While the New York Yankees are believed to be the favorite to re-sign him currently, there’s no doubt that other teams are making some noise as well, including the San Francisco Giants.
When you’re bidding against the Yankees, there’s one big thing to be worried about: Cost. New York has been known for buying championships and using its big-market money to get whatever free agents they want. Well, that is, in past eras. Since Hal Steinbrenner took over the team fully, that hasn’t been quite the case, with the team refusing to even consider options like Bryce Harper.
Still, the Yankees have more financial flexibility at their disposal to use than most teams. Whether they’ll use it may be another question.
That doesn’t seem to be forcing the Giants to stand down.
Giants president doesn’t think finances are a concern in potential bidding war for Aaron Judge
Giants president Farhan Zaidi said no one is outside of the team’s financial capability. Of course, this is a reference to Judge.
He mentioned the only thing standing in the way of the Giants making a huge move for a big-name player would be mutual interest.
The Giants may have that with Judge. He grew up in California, so the Giants have a hometown vibe the Yankees can’t quite match. Furthermore, the Yankees organization made major mistakes with negotiations before the season with Judge, and those mistakes in addition to an inability to win a title this year could put a sour taste in Judge’s mouth and send him straight to another team.
It’s as-if George Costanza himself is running this team.
The best guess right now is that he probably ends up in pinstripes again. But the clues suggest the Giants are right up there in the running.