Third Team Had An Even Bigger Offer For Aaron Judge On The Table

All along, everyone was convinced the Aaron Judge decision was between staying with the New York Yankees or going home to the San Franciso Giants. Now we've learned that, quietly, a third team was in on the final decision by Judge.

The primary reason why Aaron Judge flew to San Diego on Tuesday was to meet with the San Diego #Padres.
They offered him $400 million over 10 years.
Judge stays put in New York for $360 million over nine years.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 7, 2022

And that offer by the San Diego Padres was for what would have been an all-time baseball record of somewhere between $360M to $400M. 

Hearing that the Padres' offer was worth more than the $360 million Aaron Judge took from the Yankees. Judge turned it down, wanted to stay in the Bronx. https://t.co/RcEP0brIoH

— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) December 7, 2022

San Diego Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller was stunningly ready to make another humongous splash, looking to add Judge to a lineup already brimming with superstars in Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. 

The Padres also made shortstop Trea Turner an offer ($342M) that was far above the $300M he accepted from the Philadelphia Phillies. 

It says volumes about what Preller and Padres are still yet to do this offseason.

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports