New York Yankees: 3 landing spots for Aaron Judge
The New York Yankees are in a difficult spot with Aaron Judge. They are trying to balance being fiscally responsible and Judge’s impending free agency. After handing out a large contract to Gerrit Cole and trading for Giancarlo Stanton’s mammoth deal, the Yankees have not done much to warrant their reputation for large contracts.
But that fiscal responsibility will only go so far. The Yankees have $96 million already earmarked for just four players in 2023. At the same time, they have seven players currently slated for free agency, a group that includes Judge, key pieces of their bullpen, and other starters in the lineup.
Three potential landing spots for New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge
There is no guarantee that Judge will reach free agency. He has been vocal about his desire to remain with the Yankees for the rest of his career. It is just a matter of ownership and the front office stepping up and making a viable offer for that to happen.
Whether or not the New York Yankees are able to extend Aaron Judge will be one of the more interesting subplots of the season. Let’s see where he could end up if he reaches free agency.
New York Yankees
Even if Aaron Judge reaches free agency, it is highly probable that he will end up back with the New York Yankees.
There is no questioning what Judge means to the Yankees’ lineup when he is healthy. He and Stanton were the only two players with over 250 plate appearances to have an OPS+ above league average. As the Yankees were tenth in the AL in runs scored and in the middle of the pack in OPS, they desperately need players that can impact the lineup.
It is possible those numbers will improve this year. The Yankees had mediocre seasons from almost everyone in their lineup, something which may not be the case in 2022. It is, however, going to be difficult to bank on an aging Stanton, young players, and relatively mediocre rest of the lineup if the Yankees are going to be gaining for the postseason.
Not only does Judge change the lineup, but he is a major piece of their defense as well. He saved 11 runs last year and is fourth amongst active outfielders with 64 total runs saved. Judge even filled in for 23 games in center last year and was solid in that role.
The New York Yankees need Aaron Judge. While it is not a certainty that he remains in the Bronx, it would be a surprise if he left.
Boston Red Sox
Losing Aaron Judge would hurt the New York Yankees no matter who he goes to. It would hurt even more if he went to the Boston Red Sox.
There had been a connection between Judge and the Red Sox before. A few years ago, a photo surfaced showing the Yankees’ outfielder wearing a Red Sox shirt, starting the rumor that he was a Boston fan before being drafted by the Yankees. It turned out that he received the gear from the family he was staying with during his time in the Cape Cod League and that he was actually a Giants fan in his youth.
That shirt could turn out to be a bit of foreshadowing. The Red Sox will have a large amount of money coming off the books after this season and will need another bat in the lineup as J.D. Martinez is scheduled to be a free agent.
Judge would be a major upgrade in the lineup and in the outfield. Although the Red Sox would be adding another righty bat in a lineup that is already very right handed, one could easily imagine him crushing balls over the Green Monster and peppering the wall with line drives. His presence could make a big difference in the Red Sox’s quest to win another title.
Losing Aaron Judge would be a major blow to the New York Yankees. Losing him to the Boston Red Sox would be even worse.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs have been adamant that they are going to retool as opposed to rebuild. Bringing Aaron Judge in for the 2023 season would back that sentiment up emphatically.
There would be a slight issue with signing Judge as Jason Heyward is still under contract in 2023. However, that is the last year of his deal, and the Cubs only have $8.01 million committed to the 2024 payroll. Judge could easily fit on the roster, bumping Heyward to the bench even if he would be an expensive piece.
He would make a major difference in the Cubs’ lineup as well. As it stands, they are hoping that Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel can continue their excellent showing over the final two months of the 2021 season and become key pieces of the lineup.
Even if that happens, it will not be enough to really make a difference to the lineup this year. The Cubs need far more than that duo to step up in order to have the type of roster that can strike fear into opposing pitchers. The same is true even if the Carlos Correa rumors come to fruition; they will still need to add pieces to the lineup to contend going forward.
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Aaron Judge may be a year away from free agency. However, the Chicago Cubs can dream of what he would look like in different pinstripes.