Is the Evil Empire ready to strike again?
The New York Yankees’ top priority this offseason is to re-sign outfielder Aaron Judge, who rejected a seven-year, $213.5 million contract before Opening Day and became a free agent after the Houston Astros won the World Series.
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Judge’s price tag skyrocketed after winning the American League MVP Award following his historic season which saw the 30-year-old set a new league record with 62 home runs and contend for the Triple Crown.
But what happens if Judge decides to head west and sign with the San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Dodgers?
ESPN’s Buster Olney joined the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast this week with WEEI’s Rob Bradford and dropped some big news about what the Yankees might do if they swing and miss on Judge.
“Once he makes his decision, that’s gonna dictate what the Yankees are going to do. Which might affect what happens with the Red Sox, which might affect what happens with the Phillies. And so I think the Judge decision probably is going to send the biggest ripples around because it’s going to go right from Judge to the shortstop market. And then the shortstop market into other markets as some of these big-market teams that we think are in the shortstop market are going to have to make their adjustments. …
“You will see the Yankees already have a built-in Plan B. … If they get word that Judge is going to sign elsewhere, and let me tell you, there is a lot of tension within the Yankees organization … because this is literally the first player I think the Yankees have ever been involved with who actually they need more than the player (needs the team). It’s an unusual situation for them. But if they don’t get Judge, the perception is they’re going to immediately pivot, and I don’t think there’s any doubt, that that will be to the shortstop market. And the two guys who might fit the best in the shortstop market for the Yankees: Trea Turner, unbelievable athlete. The perception is he’s going to leave the Dodgers in part because he prefers to play on the East Coast. … He can play shortstop in 2023 and their top prospect, Anthony Volpe, eventually maybe he ascends into that spot, maybe Oswald Peraza moves into that spot. But I think that Turner’s going to be super expensive.
“On the other hand, I think another guy who potentially fits for them is Xander Bogaerts, because he’s proven in a big market. He’s a terrific professional hitter. He can hold down the position for one year. He could move them to another spot as Volpe, as Peraza graduated into the major leagues at shortstop. He has checked every box for what they’ve been veering towards the last few years. More contact, a guy who can put the ball in play, terrific leadership, great clubhouse guy. So I think those two guys are probably the best fits, because they’ve looked at Carlos Correa. He’s more of a pure shortstop. I think the Twins are going to pay big money to try to keep him. Dansby Swanson, again more of a pure shortstop. I think the versatility of Bogaerts and Turner make them more attractive for the Yankees, and I think that Bogaerts, because he’s going to be less expensive than Turner, it wouldn’t shock me, if they don’t sign Judge, I think he becomes their No. 1 target.”
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The 30-year-old Bogaerts opted out of his six-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox after the World Series. The 10-year veteran has won five Silver Slugger Awards, with four All-Star nods and two World Series titles.
Landing Bogaerts would be an interesting move for the Yankees since they already re-signed shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Plus the front office has hinted that Volpe and Peraza could be in the mix this year and represent the club’s middle infield of the future. Of course, IKF got a one-year, $6 million contract and current third baseman Josh Donaldson has an $8 million buyout for the 2024 season. So moving Bogaerts to third and sliding Volpe or Peraza into shortstop is a real possibility.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected].