Yankees' Aaron Judge 'definitely' could have seen himself joining Giants

Ahead of Aaron Judge's first career MLB game at Oracle Park (home of the San Francisco Giants) on Friday night, the New York Yankees captain was asked if he seriously envisioned himself signing with the Giants following the 2022 season.

"Definitely," Judge told Greg Joyce of the New York Post. "When you’re a free agent, you’re looking at all the different options and seeing how it’s going to turn out. It would have been a great place to play, but I ended up staying with New York and I think it was the right choice."

Judge, a native of Linden, California, grew up going to Giants games and was heavily linked in stories with San Francisco both before and after he set a new American League single-season record of 62 home runs during the 2022 season en route to earning AL Most Valuable Player honors. Individuals said to be close with Judge were certain that fall he would sign with the National League West club, but Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner ultimately matched the Giants' offer of $360M over nine years.

Steinbrenner also made Judge the 16th captain in the history of the Yankees.

Judge admitted back in March 2023 that "it was kind of a dream come true getting a chance to speak with" the Giants as a free agent. He's now looking forward to facing the 29-28 club as a member of the first-place Yankees (39-19).

"So now getting a chance to step on the field that I went to so many games in the stands and now getting a chance to be on that field, it’s gonna be pretty – it’s going to be a whirlwind," Judge explained.

Judge seemingly had no regrets about his free-agency decision after the 2023 Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs last fall. As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Bronx Bombers second among the betting favorites at +500 odds to win the 2024 World Series.

Judge and to-be free agent Juan Soto quickly have quickly fast friends this spring while helping to guid the Yankees to the top of the AL East standings. Perhaps Judge will be able to convince Soto that staying with the storied franchise is better than cashing in with a different organization.