With the Yankees eliminated from the postseason, buzz surrounding the impeding Aaron Judge sweepstakes is just getting started.
The New York slugger made headlines earlier in the year when it was revealed that he turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million extension offer. After betting big on himself and making the most of his 2022 campaign, Judge will headline a free-agent class that includes Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Jacob deGrom, and Carlos Rodon.
PointsBet recently put together the odds of which team is most likely to land Judge. White Sox fans shouldn’t get their hopes up much at all, though could make a decent bit of money if pigs begin to fly and the likely AL MVP finds his way to Chicago.
- San Francisco Giants: +200
- New York Mets: +250
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +350
- Houston Astros: +600
- Boston Red Sox: +800
- Texas Rangers: +800
- Chicago White Sox: +1000
- Toronto Blue Jays: +1000
- Philadelphia Phillies: +1300
As you can see, the fall-off after the top three teams is pretty steep, and rightfully so. It seems likely that if Judge decides to leave the Bronx, it makes the most sense for him to either sign with a California closer to his hometown or move to the crosstown rival Mets.
Given the current odds of +1000, the White Sox have an implied chance of roughly 9.1% for landing the superstar. The club, however, has shown no indications of making a play for Judge, and their financial situation with Reinsdorf writing the checks makes this a bet not even worth considering.
Besides, the Giants have already made it known that they will not only be targeting Judge but will spend whatever it takes in their attempt.
“Judge is at the top of the Giants list and they won’t be underbid,” one source told Randy Miller of NJ.com. “If they miss out, it won’t be because of money.”
Judge, 30, led all of baseball with 131 RBI, 133 runs, a .425 on-base percentage, a .686 slugging percentage, 391 total bases, and 11.5 fWAR this year. His impressive numbers also included 62 home runs, a .311 batting average (177-for-570), a 1.111 OPS, and his fourth career All-Star Game appearance.
With a massive payday on the way, the White Sox front office will likely be watching this one without even a seat at the table.
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Featured Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
How much is the value of 10 home-runs more in a season?
Let Judge go. Save money to go all in for OTHANI next year.
You have to wonder, how much is enough? Years back you could afford to take your kids and a couple of their friends to a game but now with the contracts so high and tickets too, that doesn’t happen much anymore.