The Tampa Bay Rays, known for their pragmatic approach to team management, departed from their usual fiscal conservatism during the 2022 offseason by extending a substantial contract offer to New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge. According to Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays proposed a deal to Judge worth approximately $300 million over 10 years. This revelation came to light in Bryan Hoch’s 2023 book, “62,” which chronicled Judge’s remarkable 62-home run season in 2022.
Judge, addressing the Rays’ offer before a game on Tuesday that the Rays ultimately won 5-3, expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as “very respectful.” However, he admitted the difficulty in considering a move to Tampa Bay after spending his entire career competing against them: “I’ve spent my whole career game-planning against them and trying to beat them,” Judge remarked.
During his free agency, Judge reportedly deliberated among offers from the Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres before ultimately re-signing with the Yankees for a nine-year, $360 million contract. Notably, MLB insider Jon Heyman erroneously announced Judge’s signing with the Giants in a now-infamous tweet.
Despite the Rays’ generous offer, which Judge acknowledged as respectful, it was evident that Tampa Bay was not a frontrunner in the bidding war. Their proposal, with an average annual value (AAV) of $30 million, fell short compared to the Yankees’ $40 million AAV over nine years and even further from the Padres’ reported 12-year, $415 million offer with a $34.6 million AAV.
Nevertheless, the Rays’ willingness to extend such a significant contract to Judge underscores a potential shift in their approach to free agency. Historically, Tampa Bay’s largest free agency deal was pitcher Zach Eflin’s three-year, $40 million contract. The franchise also made notable investments with Evan Longoria’s six-year, $100 million extension and Wander Franco’s 11-year, $182 million extension, marking the only instances of nine-figure deals in team history.
With a new stadium slated to open in 2028, a strong presence in the Florida offseason market, and a reputation for elite player development, the Rays could emerge as formidable players in future free agency periods. One intriguing prospect for Tampa Bay to consider is Pete Alonso, the Tampa native and current first baseman for the New York Mets. Alonso is anticipated to enter free agency this offseason, presenting an opportunity for the Rays to pursue the former home run champion and hometown hero.
In summary, while the Rays’ pursuit of Aaron Judge did not culminate in a signing, their willingness to make a substantial offer signals a potential evolution in their approach to acquiring top-tier talent. As they continue to build towards competitiveness in the MLB landscape, their boldness in pursuing high-profile free agents like Judge could pave the way for future success.
