Apparently the San Francisco Giants felt this week’s courting of slugger Aaron Judge went well. It reportedly didn’t go well enough to put them in the poll position, however.
That’s the latest from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who reported on Thursday that the Giants are “elated” with how Judge’s visit on Monday and Tuesday went, but that the Yankees still have the edge over the Orange and Black and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Via Heyman:
While the Giants and Dodgers seem like the biggest threats to sign away superstar Aaron Judge, both carry potential complications in pursuits against the Yankees, who hold edges for Judge in legacy, ballpark and familiarity.
The Giants are clearly gung-ho in their efforts and said to be “elated” by their visit this week with Judge, but the idea they hold an advantage as his “hometown” team seems specious; he’s from Linden, Calif., two hours and a lifestyle away. (Judge actually lives now in Tampa, which is Yankees territory.)
Though the Dodgers have interest, Jon Morosi reported this week that it is far more likely that Judge signs with either the Giants or Yankees, framing LA as something of a dark horse candidate. Heyman writes that the Dodgers are looking at Judge and the top shortstops on the market, but are also interested in reducing their inflated payroll even after letting about $100 walk out the door already.
Per reports, Judge has only visited with the Giants and Yankees so far this offseason, with a visit to LA seeming like the next logical step. While New York holding the edge isn’t the news SF fans want to hear, Judge staying east would be far better than the nightmare scenario of him joining their NL West rivals down south.