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Aaron Judge rumors: Mets won’t pursue Yankees slugger this offseason

By Kevin Henry

Jul 12, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) in the dugout during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) in the dugout during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Are the New York Mets already out of the running to sign New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge this offseason? According to one report, the crosstown rivals will not be in competition with each other to sign one of the leading candidates to win this season’s American League Most Valuable Player award.

The New York Mets will reportedly not compete with the New York Yankees to sign Aaron Judge

According to SNY’s Andy Martino, even though some reports have linked Judge to the New York Mets this offseason, “Owners Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner enjoy a mutually respectful relationship, and do not expect to upend that with a high-profile bidding war.”

Translation: While Cohen likely could afford to sign Judge (something that is questionable for the Yankees with their current contracts in place), the Mets will reportedly not turn Judge’s upcoming free agency into a crosstown battle.

Martino says in the article that contacts within the Mets front office are focused on constructing a strong farm system that can help New York’s National League team have an influx of talent from within rather than having to constantly find additional help through free agency. To reinforce that belief, Martino ends his article with this line, “He [Cohen] will continue to spend on free agents, but no one around the Mets senses an appetite this winter for a Judgian contract.”

That squashes some offseason desires for Mets fans (and a former Red Sox player who seemingly wants to see the Yankees weakened by Judge leaving) hoping to bring Judge to a different borough. However, seeing some of the Mets contracts already on the books (including Francisco Lindor’s 10-year, $341 million deal), it makes sense that another expensive and long contract might not make sense for 2023 and beyond.

However, Martino does give Mets fans a very, very slight glimmer of hope. If the Yankees declared themselves out of the running to re-sign Judge, Cohen may well kick the tires on a potential deal (if it meets their budget numbers).

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Mix a cordial relationship between New York owners with a realistic look at finances and you will see why Aaron Judge may never call Citi Field home.

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