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Post by domeplease on Oct 30, 2022 14:48:27 GMT -5
There’s no shortage of theories about Aaron Judge’s impending free agency and what’ll drive his decision – which, by the way, he hasn’t made yet. But if Judge leaves the Yankees it won’t be just because of money. And it won’t be tied to another disappointing October. Judge hates losing but there’s more going on here.
I actually believe No. 99 would be OK pushing the rock uphill again in 2023, were it not for the souring relationship between the Yankees and their fans. The marriage deteriorated rapidly during the playoffs, but make no mistake, the booing started much earlier over the summer.
By season’s end some players and even members of the front office were left wondering whose side the ticket buyers were on.
One executive told me, “it’s never been this bad,” confirming recent reports of Yankees contacting their agents about the crowd’s behavior during the postseason.
So what’s Judge’s role in this? He was (mostly) spared the fans’ wrath, and I don’t have reason to believe the slugger made it an issue with higher-ups. But that doesn’t mean Judge wasn’t disturbed by the trend line.
People I spoke to during the season say Judge was taken aback by the way certain teammates were treated.
That’s why I wonder if Hal Steinbrenner realizes the enormity of the task in front of him.
The owner has to be more than just the market’s highest bidder for Judge. Steinbrenner needs his superstar to believe a) the Yankees are not headed for a downturn in 2023 and b) the stadium will continue to be an attractive destination for future free agents – and not a cauldron where the home team gets skewered by its own fans.
I get why outsiders would be mystified by this.
First of all, most Yankees fans are extremely loyal. And let’s face it, Judge isn’t just popular, he’s practically a cult hero.
Second, the fans who boo will tell you they’re sick of watching a runner-up — they’re not raising a middle finger at any particular Yankee, but to an overall trend in the post-George era.
Since their last world championship in 2009, the Bombers have been home watching on TV while the Giants (three times) and Red Sox (twice) have won multiple titles. The Cardinals, Royals, Cubs, Nationals, Dodgers and Braves all have rings as well.
The Yankees? Nada.
The impatience in the stands is understandable: the fans pay handsomely to watch this team and they show up at the stadium in droves. The Bombers led the American League in attendance in 2022, which is all a home team can ask for.
Still, something changed in the messaging from the stands in 2022. The Yankees were on trial from mid-summer on. What started as friendly rooting turned into a simmering rage during August’s brutal 10-18 slump. The viciousness and vulgarity was out in the open.
Like the rest of the Yankees, Judge picked up on this. He is the clubhouse’s leader, but also its eyes and ears. He rallied the Yankees in defense of Joey Gallo, who they knew didn’t belong in this market. The outfielder, who batted .159 and struck out in nearly half his at-bats, suffered from anxiety issues which only worsened with the vicious booing.
Gallo failed too often to be of any use to Aaron Boone but as the Yankees privately pointed out, he didn’t ask to come to New York. He was traded into pinstripes, doomed by the analytics department that decided his left-handed, uppercut swing was perfect for the stadium’s dimensions.
No one bothered to consider Gallo’s makeup would never fit. The more he struggled, the more teammates felt sorry for him. Judge included.
The players were also aghast at the way the slumping Aaron Hicks was taunted by chants of “Jo-ey Ga-llo” once the failed left fielder was finally traded. Hicks replaced Gallo as the new Public Enemy No. 1 in the Bronx.
Teammates were equally disturbed by Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s father being threatened on social media.
One member of the organization said, “even if it’s a small number of crazies that do stuff like this, word gets out around the league. Players from other teams talk about it. Eventually you’ll get free agents who ask, “Do I really want to play for the Yankees?””
The easy response is to wave away easily-bruised players. If they can’t take a little booing, they don’t belong in New York, right?
But the game has changed in 20 years. Unlike, say, Derek Jeter’s crew, today’s stars hear it at the ballpark and on social media.
Players say they don’t check Twitter, but family members often do. The insults are more personal and unrelenting than ever.
Even No. 99 wasn’t entirely spared. Judge got it from the fans early in the season and again at the 11th hour, as the Yankees were being swept in the ALCS. Despite one of the finest regular-season performances in American League history, Judge was 1-for-16 against Houston and heard boos on the way out the door.
He seemed unfazed by the treatment, telling reporters after Game 4, “(the booing) is nothing new.” But something was different about his reaction to the sweep.
Unlike past setbacks in October, Judge was more clinical than emotional this time.
He said goodbye to reporters one by one, often using the past tense in his parting lines:
“It was fun, wasn’t it?”
“We had some good times.”
“I’m sure we’ll see each other down the road.”
The phrasing could’ve meant nothing or else it conformed with Judge’s determination that his work is done here.
He oversaw the ascent of the Baby Bombers in 2017, took them as far as he could and now sees the coming crash.
Maybe Judge considers the boos a foreshadowing of what’s ahead in 2023.
If so, it might already be too late for Steinbrenner’s checkbook to save the day.
Aaron Judge Rumors: San Francisco Giants Are ‘No. 1 Choice’
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Post by desousa on Oct 30, 2022 15:20:18 GMT -5
There’s no shortage of theories about Aaron Judge’s impending free agency and what’ll drive his decision – which, by the way, he hasn’t made yet. But if Judge leaves the Yankees it won’t be just because of money. And it won’t be tied to another disappointing October. Judge hates losing but there’s more going on here.
I actually believe No. 99 would be OK pushing the rock uphill again in 2023, were it not for the souring relationship between the Yankees and their fans. The marriage deteriorated rapidly during the playoffs, but make no mistake, the booing started much earlier over the summer.
By season’s end some players and even members of the front office were left wondering whose side the ticket buyers were on.
One executive told me, “it’s never been this bad,” confirming recent reports of Yankees contacting their agents about the crowd’s behavior during the postseason.
So what’s Judge’s role in this? He was (mostly) spared the fans’ wrath, and I don’t have reason to believe the slugger made it an issue with higher-ups. But that doesn’t mean Judge wasn’t disturbed by the trend line.
People I spoke to during the season say Judge was taken aback by the way certain teammates were treated.
That’s why I wonder if Hal Steinbrenner realizes the enormity of the task in front of him.
The owner has to be more than just the market’s highest bidder for Judge. Steinbrenner needs his superstar to believe a) the Yankees are not headed for a downturn in 2023 and b) the stadium will continue to be an attractive destination for future free agents – and not a cauldron where the home team gets skewered by its own fans.
I get why outsiders would be mystified by this.
First of all, most Yankees fans are extremely loyal. And let’s face it, Judge isn’t just popular, he’s practically a cult hero.
Second, the fans who boo will tell you they’re sick of watching a runner-up — they’re not raising a middle finger at any particular Yankee, but to an overall trend in the post-George era.
Since their last world championship in 2009, the Bombers have been home watching on TV while the Giants (three times) and Red Sox (twice) have won multiple titles. The Cardinals, Royals, Cubs, Nationals, Dodgers and Braves all have rings as well.
The Yankees? Nada.
The impatience in the stands is understandable: the fans pay handsomely to watch this team and they show up at the stadium in droves. The Bombers led the American League in attendance in 2022, which is all a home team can ask for.
Still, something changed in the messaging from the stands in 2022. The Yankees were on trial from mid-summer on. What started as friendly rooting turned into a simmering rage during August’s brutal 10-18 slump. The viciousness and vulgarity was out in the open.
Like the rest of the Yankees, Judge picked up on this. He is the clubhouse’s leader, but also its eyes and ears. He rallied the Yankees in defense of Joey Gallo, who they knew didn’t belong in this market. The outfielder, who batted .159 and struck out in nearly half his at-bats, suffered from anxiety issues which only worsened with the vicious booing.
Gallo failed too often to be of any use to Aaron Boone but as the Yankees privately pointed out, he didn’t ask to come to New York. He was traded into pinstripes, doomed by the analytics department that decided his left-handed, uppercut swing was perfect for the stadium’s dimensions.
No one bothered to consider Gallo’s makeup would never fit. The more he struggled, the more teammates felt sorry for him. Judge included.
The players were also aghast at the way the slumping Aaron Hicks was taunted by chants of “Jo-ey Ga-llo” once the failed left fielder was finally traded. Hicks replaced Gallo as the new Public Enemy No. 1 in the Bronx.
Teammates were equally disturbed by Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s father being threatened on social media.
One member of the organization said, “even if it’s a small number of crazies that do stuff like this, word gets out around the league. Players from other teams talk about it. Eventually you’ll get free agents who ask, “Do I really want to play for the Yankees?””
The easy response is to wave away easily-bruised players. If they can’t take a little booing, they don’t belong in New York, right?
But the game has changed in 20 years. Unlike, say, Derek Jeter’s crew, today’s stars hear it at the ballpark and on social media.
Players say they don’t check Twitter, but family members often do. The insults are more personal and unrelenting than ever.
Even No. 99 wasn’t entirely spared. Judge got it from the fans early in the season and again at the 11th hour, as the Yankees were being swept in the ALCS. Despite one of the finest regular-season performances in American League history, Judge was 1-for-16 against Houston and heard boos on the way out the door.
He seemed unfazed by the treatment, telling reporters after Game 4, “(the booing) is nothing new.” But something was different about his reaction to the sweep.
Unlike past setbacks in October, Judge was more clinical than emotional this time.
He said goodbye to reporters one by one, often using the past tense in his parting lines:
“It was fun, wasn’t it?”
“We had some good times.”
“I’m sure we’ll see each other down the road.”
The phrasing could’ve meant nothing or else it conformed with Judge’s determination that his work is done here.
He oversaw the ascent of the Baby Bombers in 2017, took them as far as he could and now sees the coming crash.
Maybe Judge considers the boos a foreshadowing of what’s ahead in 2023.
If so, it might already be too late for Steinbrenner’s checkbook to save the day.
Aaron Judge Rumors: San Francisco Giants Are ‘No. 1 Choice’
If Judge doesn't resign, the Yankees are already using their usual mouthpieces in the press like Klapisch to place the blame on the fans so they won't take so much heat. Fans boo Judge because they can't boo Cashman as he's not on the field. |
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Post by rizzuto on Oct 30, 2022 17:01:57 GMT -5
Aaron Judge Rumors: San Francisco Giants Are ‘No. 1 Choice’
If Judge doesn't resign, the Yankees are already using their usual mouthpieces in the press like Klapisch to place the blame on the fans so they won't take so much heat. Fans boo Judge because they can't boo Cashman as he's not on the field. Indeed. The worst booing I heard was for Hal and Cashman at one of those games for former players - either Jeter or O'Neill. |
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Post by domeplease on Oct 31, 2022 16:39:32 GMT -5
Giants’ pursuit of Yankees’ Aaron Judge could create awkward moment in 2023
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Post by anthonyd46 on Nov 1, 2022 2:51:25 GMT -5
Giants’ pursuit of Yankees’ Aaron Judge could create awkward moment in 2023
A Giants person called “crazy” and “ridiculous” reports saying they’d pay Judge whatever it took. “I would expect him to be a Yankee,” one rival says, echoing the thoughts of many. Another says he believes it would take a “screwup” for the Yankees to lose a legacy player like this. |
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Post by kaybli on Nov 1, 2022 12:09:04 GMT -5
From RAB Thoughts:
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees “will stretch” to keep Aaron Judge, and while this isn’t the kinda thing I would usually share, I want to use this as an opportunity to say the tone of hot stove reports matter. When the Yankees want a player – I mean really want a player – they make sure everyone knows. It was no secret they would blow CC Sabathia and Gerrit Cole away.
And on the flip side, think about their Bryce Harper and Manny Machado pursuits, or their Carlos Correa and Corey Seager pursuits (non-pursuits, really). It was reported pretty much right away that the Yankees weren’t all that interested in Harper or Machado, or Correa or Seager. They did their due diligence, but that Sabathia/Cole level interest didn’t exist. Even Robbie Cano. The Yankees made it pretty clear they wouldn’t go all-out to re-sign him.
Dating back to Spring Training, the overall tone of Judge’s free agency is the Yankees want to bring him back and are willing to pay him handsomely. At the time, that $213.5M extension offer in Spring Training looked mighty good. It wasn’t insultingly low by any means. Free agency is unpredictable and another team could gum up the works with a monster offer, but my sense is the Yankees want to keep Judge the same way they wanted to sign Cole and Sabathia.
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Post by inger on Nov 1, 2022 17:23:43 GMT -5
From RAB Thoughts:
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees “will stretch” to keep Aaron Judge, and while this isn’t the kinda thing I would usually share, I want to use this as an opportunity to say the tone of hot stove reports matter. When the Yankees want a player – I mean really want a player – they make sure everyone knows. It was no secret they would blow CC Sabathia and Gerrit Cole away.
And on the flip side, think about their Bryce Harper and Manny Machado pursuits, or their Carlos Correa and Corey Seager pursuits (non-pursuits, really). It was reported pretty much right away that the Yankees weren’t all that interested in Harper or Machado, or Correa or Seager. They did their due diligence, but that Sabathia/Cole level interest didn’t exist. Even Robbie Cano. The Yankees made it pretty clear they wouldn’t go all-out to re-sign him.
Dating back to Spring Training, the overall tone of Judge’s free agency is the Yankees want to bring him back and are willing to pay him handsomely. At the time, that $213.5M extension offer in Spring Training looked mighty good. It wasn’t insultingly low by any means. Free agency is unpredictable and another team could gum up the works with a monster offer, but my sense is the Yankees want to keep Judge the same way they wanted to sign Cole and Sabathia.
I’m feeling 90% certain he’ll stay, and that his contract will assure him of being a legacy Yankee when his playing days are over… |
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Post by anthonyd46 on Nov 1, 2022 17:29:26 GMT -5
From RAB Thoughts:
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees “will stretch” to keep Aaron Judge, and while this isn’t the kinda thing I would usually share, I want to use this as an opportunity to say the tone of hot stove reports matter. When the Yankees want a player – I mean really want a player – they make sure everyone knows. It was no secret they would blow CC Sabathia and Gerrit Cole away.
And on the flip side, think about their Bryce Harper and Manny Machado pursuits, or their Carlos Correa and Corey Seager pursuits (non-pursuits, really). It was reported pretty much right away that the Yankees weren’t all that interested in Harper or Machado, or Correa or Seager. They did their due diligence, but that Sabathia/Cole level interest didn’t exist. Even Robbie Cano. The Yankees made it pretty clear they wouldn’t go all-out to re-sign him.
Dating back to Spring Training, the overall tone of Judge’s free agency is the Yankees want to bring him back and are willing to pay him handsomely. At the time, that $213.5M extension offer in Spring Training looked mighty good. It wasn’t insultingly low by any means. Free agency is unpredictable and another team could gum up the works with a monster offer, but my sense is the Yankees want to keep Judge the same way they wanted to sign Cole and Sabathia.
I’m feeling 90% certain he’ll stay, and that his contract will assure him of being a legacy Yankee when his playing days are over… Yea I agree I think the whole hr chase kinda changed things they made his family feel welcome and stuff etc. Going to a giants team that is likely going nowhere with the roadblock dodgers in the way isn't ideal Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Post by acuraman on Nov 1, 2022 17:30:57 GMT -5
I hope the Yankees don't resign him to a ridiculous hand cuffing contract. I would let him walk, we can sign other valuable other FA's, make trades to field a better team in 2023.
Judge said all the rights things, but to me action speaks louder than words and his words didn't sound real or authentic.
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Post by domeplease on Nov 2, 2022 14:34:30 GMT -5
I hope the Yankees don't resign him to a ridiculous hand cuffing contract. I would let him walk, we can sign other valuable other FA's, make trades to field a better team in 2023. Judge said all the rights things, but to me action speaks louder than words and his words didn't sound real or authentic.
3 reasons Yankees must NOT re-sign Aaron Judge after falling short of World Series.
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Post by acuraman on Nov 2, 2022 18:06:26 GMT -5
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Post by domeplease on Nov 6, 2022 16:29:32 GMT -5
SF Giants free-agent breakdown: Yankees star Aaron Judge
...In 2022, he led the league in on-base percentage and slugging (consequently leading in OPS and OPS+ as well), as well as runs, home runs, RBI, walks, and total bases. He played in 157 games, stole 13 bases in 16 attempts, hit .311, and was intentionally walked nearly 20 times. The only hole in his statistical profile is that he didn’t hit any triples, which is like asking the chef at Ruth’s Chris why your steak didn’t come with a cupcake.
What makes Judge so attractive is that a season like this has been building up for a while. In 2017, his rookie campaign, he led the league in home runs, runs, and walks. He won Rookie of the Year honors and finished second in American League MVP voting. Not counting his time in 2016 as a September call-up, Judge will have garnered MVP votes in four of his six seasons once this year’s tallies come in. The two years he didn’t were the two years he dealt with injury the most, missing 60 games in 2019 and about half of the covid-shortened 2020 season. Even then, he “merely” put up OPS totals of .921 and .891, respectively.
The more I examine Judge’s career, the more sense it makes for the Giants to offer him anything they can.
He fits San Francisco in every conceivable way. He’s never had a truly bad offensive season, and when he’s hot, he can lap the Giants’ next-best hitter in home runs while still leading the team in batting average.
On the field, he plays a good center field, which just so happens to be the position that the Giants need an everyday player for in order to settle the corner outfield positions.
In the clubhouse, he’s widely acknowledged as a clubhouse leader and unofficial captain, and off the field, he grew up a Giants fan an hour and a half away from San Francisco in Linden, where his family still lives.
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Post by inger on Nov 6, 2022 18:28:18 GMT -5
SF Giants free-agent breakdown: Yankees star Aaron Judge
...In 2022, he led the league in on-base percentage and slugging (consequently leading in OPS and OPS+ as well), as well as runs, home runs, RBI, walks, and total bases. He played in 157 games, stole 13 bases in 16 attempts, hit .311, and was intentionally walked nearly 20 times. The only hole in his statistical profile is that he didn’t hit any triples, which is like asking the chef at Ruth’s Chris why your steak didn’t come with a cupcake.
What makes Judge so attractive is that a season like this has been building up for a while. In 2017, his rookie campaign, he led the league in home runs, runs, and walks. He won Rookie of the Year honors and finished second in American League MVP voting. Not counting his time in 2016 as a September call-up, Judge will have garnered MVP votes in four of his six seasons once this year’s tallies come in. The two years he didn’t were the two years he dealt with injury the most, missing 60 games in 2019 and about half of the covid-shortened 2020 season. Even then, he “merely” put up OPS totals of .921 and .891, respectively.
The more I examine Judge’s career, the more sense it makes for the Giants to offer him anything they can.
He fits San Francisco in every conceivable way. He’s never had a truly bad offensive season, and when he’s hot, he can lap the Giants’ next-best hitter in home runs while still leading the team in batting average.
On the field, he plays a good center field, which just so happens to be the position that the Giants need an everyday player for in order to settle the corner outfield positions.
In the clubhouse, he’s widely acknowledged as a clubhouse leader and unofficial captain, and off the field, he grew up a Giants fan an hour and a half away from San Francisco in Linden, where his family still lives.
You forgot to mention that he’s a giant himself… |
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Post by chiyankee on Nov 6, 2022 18:32:30 GMT -5
Judge spent his first day of free agency hanging out with Stanton, supporting Mrs. Judge.
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Post by acuraman on Nov 7, 2022 20:26:22 GMT -5
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