Report: Aaron Judge met with team other than Giants, Yankees 'last minute' before decision

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Judge flew to San Diego on Tuesday evening, but later that night, had informed the Yankees and his teammates of his decision to return. For weeks, if not months, it was assumed that if Judge were to leave the Bronx, it would be for the Bay Area.

The most recent miss for the Padres comes on the heels of their failed attempt to land All-Star shortstop Trea Turner. Despite reportedly receiving an offer worth more money, the speedster elected to move back east and join the Philadelphia Phillies on an 11-year, $300 million deal.

Per Spotrac, San Diego already has third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. signed through the 2029 and 2035 seasons respectively, with Machado earning an average salary of $30 million per year and Tatis Jr. collecting over $24 million per year. The shortstop will be eligible to return from his 80-game PED suspension in late April.

Judge's new deal isn't finalized yet, due to a pending physical, but assuming it goes through without issue, it will represent the highest average annual value for a position player in MLB history.