With the annual MLB winter meetings beginning this weekend, the world’s most plugged in baseball reporters’ screen time reports are likely skyrocketing.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan previewed the upcoming meetings in a jam-packed story Wednesday, which included new details about Aaron Judge.
The Yankees reportedly made a new offer to Judge about two weeks ago, but the specifics of their negotiations were unclear until Passan’s report. That offer on the table, per Passan, is “in the neighborhood” of eight years and $300 million.
That would make Judge the highest-paid position player on an annual average value basis, surpassing Mike Trout’s $35.5 million per year. That’s not shocking given the 30-year-old outfielder broke the American League record with 62 home runs and led MLB in homers, OPS, RBI and runs.
Judge’s free agency, sources involved told Passan, “is primed to end in a record-setting deal at the meetings.”
The Giants are viewed as the Yankees’ top competition in the Judge sweepstakes, and they could push New York’s reported offer of about $37.5 million AAV.
Wrote Passan: “Across the industry, the expectation is that Judge re-signs, but it’s worth remembering: The last time the highest-paid free agent remained with his current team was Yoenis Cespedes with the Mets in 2016. And before that, it was Matt Holliday in 2009.”
Free agency thus far has been relatively slow, with most of the top-billed players remaining unsigned. That could change quickly if Judge — the most high-profile player available — decides to sign soon.
Judge, the Linden native, met with the Giants the week of Thanksgiving. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi hinted that Judge could make a decision before the winter meetings end.
The winter meetings kick off Sunday in San Diego and run through Thursday, Dec. 8.