MLB Rumors: One NL Team To Spend "Whatever It Takes" To Land Judge

The bidding for free agent Aaron Judge could be unlike anything we've ever seen before. While we've already noted several teams that will be in hot pursuit, it appears that one team—the San Francisco Giants—will stop at nothing to bring Judge home (he's from nearby Linden, CA). 

My inside #SFGiants’ source FWIW just texted me “90-95% Aaron Judge will be on the Giants next year.” 👀

— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) October 20, 2022

According to Randy Miller of NJ.com, "the Giants have targeted Judge and are prepared to spend whatever it takes", said a person with knowledge of the Giants’ thinking.

“Judge is at the top of the Giants list and they won’t be underbid (sic),” the person said. “If they miss out, it won’t be because of money.” Of course, they meant they won't be "outbid" but yes, we get the idea.

One main reason that money won't be an object is because of the truckloads of salary coming off the books this winter for the team: Brandon Belt ($18.4M), Evan Longoria ($19.5M) and Carlos Rodón ($21.5M), are all no longer on the payroll.

“I know the Giants also are feeling pressure with the Warriors’ basketball team doing so well and spending big in the same market," said the same source. 

So that's the Giants' motivation. How about Judge's? That's simple: He grew up a Giants fan and his parents and in-laws still live in Linden, Calif., the town where he grew up, just 90 miles from San Francisco.

And finally, according to Miller, a person close to Judge believes the Giants are indeed his No. 1 choice and predicted, “It’s going to be looking good next season for the orange and black.”

PIhoto: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports