From the start, the Los Angeles Dodgers have loomed as a leading contender to land free-agent slugger Aaron Judge.
Now comes a report that the Dodgers have turned up the intensity in their pursuit.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers “will make a run at Aaron Judge.”
Word going around now is Dodgers will make a run at Aaron Judge. Logical with $100M now off the books with Bellinger, Kimbrel, Anderson, Heaney, Price and 2 Turners off the roster. Needs include SS, 3B, SPs, RP and now OF.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 19, 2022
After winning 111 games this season, the Dodgers were upset in the NLDS by the San Diego Padres. The team is retooling its roster this offseason. Heyman notes that the departure of Trea Turner, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger, among other players, will free up some $100 million in salary.
As noted, the Dodgers have been seen as one of the top landing spots for Judge. Bookies.com currently gives the Dodgers a 16.7% chance of signing the slugger. The San Francisco Giants are the favorite, with a 33.3% chance. The New York Yankees are given a 26.7% chance of retaining his services. The New York Mets, Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox are all listed on the odds board.
Judge has kept his thoughts to himself, although he hinted earlier this week that, “My ultimate, most important thing is I want to be on a team with a winning culture and a commitment to winning.”
Baseball fans on Twitter reacted to the latest Judge report with mixed feelings.
https://twitter.com/PlayoffTanaka_/status/1593760147880427520
This stuff is really annoying in any sport. One or two teams going and buying every big name player is not good for the game. I’d like to think I’d say the thing if it was my team, who knows. But this is bad for the game
— Tuck Stainback (@tweeterskeets) November 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/Nnzmwsl2022/status/1593760582871695363
Are the #Dodgers going to make a play for Aaron Judge?? 😳 #RepBX https://t.co/Kj8tEsJQ9d
— Victor Narro (@NarroVictor) November 19, 2022
If Aaron judge goes to the dodgers i am not gonna know how to act
— Miranda✨ (@miranda_esc) November 19, 2022
If Aaron Judge thinks he’s worth more than $337 mil, he’s nuts.
And the Dodgers don’t need Judge. They need more patching help https://t.co/6QNoDYJylY
— Jeff Rothman 🌻🏒⚾️ (@amazingjr87) November 19, 2022
