With free agency around the corner for Aaron Judge, there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding where he might end up at the start of 2023. The Yankees tried to solidify a deal worth seven years, $213.5 million to avoid this scenario, but Judge’s camp declined the offer. Now, following arguably the best offensive season of all time, a change of scenery could be in the cards for the Yankee slugger.
If Judge doesn’t re-sign with the Yankees, where will he land? The likeliest answer may surprise you. Let’s take a look at the Aaron Judge next team odds for potential landing spots for the 2023 season.
Aaron Judge Next Team Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Giants | +200 |
| Mets | +250 |
| Dodgers | +350 |
| Astros | +600 |
| Red Sox | +800 |
| Rangers | +800 |
| White Sox | +1000 |
| Blue Jays | +1000 |
| Phillies | +1300 |
Odds as of Oct. 25, 2022 and are subject to change.
Aaron Judge Next Team Odds: Top Contender
San Francisco Giants
The Giants are a front-runner seemingly because of their bankroll. After going 81-81 in 2022, San Francisco would need to throw big money at Judge in order to get him to choose a significant downgrade from New York.
However, there are a few reasons why Judge would sign with San Francisco for the 2023 season. The most obvious is that he was born in Sacramento, California. Choosing your home town is almost always going to be the comfortable option. The question is whether sacrificing a winning franchise and shot at the World Series next year is worth the change.
The last time the Giants really sold out for a player was Carlos Rodon, so it’s safe to say that they could afford Judge. It could even be a story of redemption after they failed to sign Giancarlo Stanton in 2017 when he chose the Yankees over the Giants. Other notable names they have missed out on include Bryce Harper, so maybe 2023 will be their year.
Aaron Judge Next Team Odds: Next In Line
New York Mets
The Mets have an interesting resume they can use to appeal to the cross-town superstar. Judge would definitely face criticism from essentially his entire fan base plus some, but the Mets have been boasting an undeniable positive trajectory. On the contrary, the Yankees have been quite the opposite after the most recent embarrassing sweep. The dollar amount would have to be large to justify this expensive trip on the subway.
The only thing keeping this dream for Mets fans alive is owner Steve Cohen’s aversion to staying beneath the luxury tax threshold. The Met’s $235.6 million payroll was ranked first in the majors, and you can bet Cohen has no reservations about driving that number up to acquire yet another superstar.
Aaron Judge Next Team Odds: Long(er) Shot
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s almost impossible to talk about any superstar acquisition nowadays without talking about the Dodgers. Like the Mets, the Dodgers have no issue dishing out big contracts. Their bankroll sits just behind the Mets at $214.5 million, and it almost seems casual to add MVPs to their roster following a playoff loss.
The only way to debunk this blockbuster deal would be an oversaturation of exceptional talent all vying for a spot in the roster. Mookie Betts is already in right field, so unless there is going to be an entire restructuring around the acquisition of Judge, this deal seems the most unlikely of them all.