Aaron Judge reportedly 'very close to 50-50' between Yankees and Giants

All-Star slugger Aaron Judge may be on the cusp of announcing his free-agency decision. 

According to John Healy of Audacy, insider Jon Morosi said during a Thursday appearance on MLB Network that Judge could confirm the location of his future baseball home "within the week." Morosi also reported the 30-year-old is between remaining with the New York Yankees and joining the San Francisco Giants.

"The Giants are a very realistic possibility," Morosi explained during the segment. "…We are very close to 50-50 where if the Giants step up, and get that [annual average value] closer to $40 million a year, there’s a legitimate chance Aaron Judge becomes a San Francisco Giant." 

Morosi's update followed a Wednesday report that said the Yankees "have an offer on the table in the neighborhood of eight years and $300 million" for Judge. 

ESPN's Jesse Rogers pointed out that seven of 12 "team executives and MLB insiders" who were asked think Judge will ultimately receive over $320 million in guaranteed money. Former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips said the Giants have "got a chance" to win the signature of the reigning American League Most Valuable Player if they offer him a nine-year deal that includes his requested annual average value. 

Judge is a native of Linden, California, but the fact he grew up a fan of the Giants may not be enough to entice him to return to the West Coast even if San Francisco matches his asking price. 

As Dan Martin noted for the New York Post, Judge said shortly after he earned MVP honors that "the most important thing" to him regarding free-agency negotiations "is a winning culture and being with a team that’s committed to winning, not only for the remainder of my playing career, but I want the legacy to live on with the organization." 

Morosi added on Thursday that the Giants must show Judge they have a "credible, actionable plan to put a winning team around him that could get to the postseason." 

The Giants finished the 2022 campaign at 81-81, while Judge helped the Yankees win the AL East title and complete a journey to the AL Championship Series.