IT'S NOT EVERY WINTER THAT A PLAYER LIKE AARON JUDGE BECOMES A FREE AGENT!

Source: LM Otero

You can't skim the social sites without seeing an Aaron Judge headline every fifth post. Local newspapers and national ones alike, plus the hundreds of sports beat reporters and blogs have a mention of Judge somewhere in their articles and posts 10 hours ago, three hours ago, 15 minutes ago, The Daily News said, ESPN posted, Bryan Hoch stated that...and with good reason. It's not every winter a player the caliber of Aaron Judge is available on the open market. The question is, who will be lucky enough to land him?

Source: CBS Sports

"The Dodgers are one of the few teams who have shown a willingness to hand out the kind of contracts required to shop at the top of the market on a consistent basis. They absolutely have the financial flexibility to do so this offseason, too, after allowing Trea Turner to enter free agency without an extension and declining Justin Turner's option," reported CBS Sports. Certainly not necessarily new to the conversation, the Los Angeles Dodgers are always looking to add more to their arsenal. Last season they picked up superstar Freddie Freeman. The year before they picked up ace pitcher Max Scherzer and before that they exploded with a contract for then free agent Mookie Betts. The Dodgers are not afraid of digging into their deep pockets to pick up the right players for their evolving team. And this year will be no different.

Source: LM Otero

"It's not easy to clock what the Dodgers starting nine might look like because of their versatility, and because they have some other pressing questions to address this offseason -- like, who plays shortstop, and what about third base? Predictably, the Dodgers have been linked to the top free-agent shortstops, including Carlos Correa, and have even been rumored to have interest in Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers," reported CBS Sports. So maybe the Judge addition is not as essential as these key infield positions. That leaves their in state rival the San Francisco Giants who have been linked to Judge since before he officially announced his free agency.

                                                                           Source: LM Otero

Recall the Aaron Judge was wooed by the San Francisco Giants and visited with the team and the higher management over several days last week. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, “I believe that once Aaron Judge knows where at least the initial Giants offer comes in, and I do believe one is forthcoming, that there will be a fairly robust conversation to where we could see Aaron Judge signing with a team within the next two weeks, by the end of the Winter Meetings." The Winter Meetings kick off on Sunday and end Wednesday, December 7th. With an offer coming perhaps as early this week, the Yankees and maybe even the Dodgers will have opportunities to outbid and woe the slugger accordingly. 

Source: Tony Gutierrez

Judge was a Giants fan growing up. He met a number of iconic Californian sports figures while in San Francisco. But he has already tasted what it is like to be a part of one of the most winningest sports franchises in history. He has felt the nostalgia. He has been a part of history himself in breaking Roger Maris's record of 61 home runs. He has the opportunity to be the next Yankee captain. You can't top that, even if you are Steph Curry, one of the frontliners in the Giants wooing sessions for Judge.  

I am glad Judge is being lauded, celebrated, wooed after. He deserves it. But after all the fanfare subsides, I hope he can quietly reflect on the player he is and the one he wants to become. It's not every winter we get to witness this kind of lovefest over a player. But this year, is Judge's year and let's hope he chooses well. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof