Judge closes in on final stages
Giants could offer within the week
Following the Giants’ marathon meeting with Aaron Judge on Tuesday, the slugger’s free agency is reportedly already nearing its final stages.
San Francisco, thought to be possibly the only team that could lure him away from the Yankees, is expected to make Judge an offer “within the week,” insider Jon Morosi reported Wednesday morning on MLB Network. Judge, Morosi said, could make his decision by the end of the winter meetings (Dec. 4-7), if not sooner.
“This is not going to be a February decision,” Morosi said. “I would expect this to be a December decision.”
Judge, the reigning AL MVP and a childhood fan of the Giants, met with club officials Tuesday in the only known free-agent visit he has taken besides a meeting with the Yankees, who have reportedly already put forth an offer.
Morosi described the meetings, which he said included ownership, as a “significant development” and “very productive.”
“It was a day of multiple meetings,” Morosi said. “When you consider the thoughtfulness of the Giants and their long history and the number of icons they’ve had over time, it would not surprise me if the Giants really organized this to consider and go back to Aaron’s emotions as a long-time fan of the franchise, perhaps even including some of his favorite players as a kid, who might well have been able to meet with him yesterday.”
According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the participants included chief executive Larry Baer, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler. They also included representatives from Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry’s camp.
As they neared an end Tuesday evening, recently resigned outfielder Joc Pederson kicked off a recruiting campaign on social media, posting an image of Judge in a Giants uniform with the caption, “We’re ready when u are 99,” which was shared by Logan Webb and Brandon Crawford.
According to Morosi, Judge’s decision could come sooner rather than later.
“I believe once Aaron Judge knows when at least the initial Giants offer comes in,” Morosi said, “and I do believe one is forthcoming . we could see Aaron Judge signing with a team within the next two weeks, by the end of the winter meetings.”