BREAKING: Padres Almost Landed Aaron Judge in Staggering Deal
In a dramatic twist to the 2022–23 free-agent market, the San Diego Padres reportedly came incredibly close to signing New York Yankees powerhouse Aaron Judge with a shockingly large offer — only for the slugging superstar to ultimately return home to the Bronx.
The Offer They Almost Made
- According to Judge’s agent and multiple sources, the Padres once proposed a deal in excess of $400 million, with one offer possibly reaching $415 million over 12+ years
- Earlier reporting suggested the initial figures were closer to $400 million over 10 years
Why It Fell Through
- MLB insiders reported that no formal offer was ever finalized, with the Padres only “conceptualizing” such a major contract .
- Judge ultimately chose a nine-year, $360 million contract to remain in New York, drawn by his deep connection with the Yankees and the ability to speak directly with owner Hal Steinbrenner — factors he later described as pivotal
League-Level Complications
- Some reports suggested MLB might have had concerns over the Padres using the massive contract structure to circumvent luxury tax rules — a possible reason they held back from making a formal offer .
Judge Speaks Out
- Judge told Sports Illustrated he was grateful to have been considered by the Padres and the Giants, but he emphasized his long-term loyalty to New York and the importance of deep, personal discussions with team leadership
The Padres nearly set a new MLB record for free-agent deals with a jaw-dropping $400–415 million package to Aaron Judge. In the end, though, Judge re-signed in the Bronx for $360 million, choosing familiarity, legacy, and direct communication over the highest salary offer.
