Casually, the Los Angeles Dodgers recently freed up a lot of payroll, giving them hope of signing the newest American League MVP recipient, Aaron Judge.
The California native would somehow be coming home after seven seasons in the Bronx, playing for the New York Yankees.
Judge, 30, is the most prominent free agent in the current crop. Recall that he was, along with Albert Pujols, the most publicized athlete during the last season in major league baseball because of the race for the record for the most home runs among the Yankees. He ended the 2022 campaign with 62 long balls, moving ahead of Roger Maris.
By deciding not to make new offers to several members of the 2022 edition of the club, the leaders of the Dodgers portend a change in culture that would have the giant Judge as its cornerstone.
By signing No. 99, the Dodgers would also thumb their noses at their San Francisco rivals, who have shown interest in the powerhouse slugger for some time.
Letting go of career-ending Cody Bellinger, Craig Kimbrel, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Trea Turner, Justin Turner and David Price, the Dodgers will have many needs to fill, but they’ve freed up no less than $100 million on their payroll, allowing them to redo groceries without hassle.
The needs to be met in anticipation of the 2023 training camp are at the positions of shortstop, third base, starting pitchers and relief pitchers, as well as in the outfield. A lot of work for the staff of a formation which will always have at its helm the controversial Dave Roberts.
In order to make sure to put Judge in the right chair, the star outfielder of the Dodgers, Mookie Betts, even said he was ready to evolve in the infield during the next seasons. He would move to second base.
For a team that spends big every year to ensure it finishes top of its division, making eyes at a player like Aaron Judge is not a pipe dream. Would Judge, who has been an underdog in the last playoffs for the Yankees, be able to make a difference, allowing the Dodgers to be better when it counts? The six-foot-seven-inch guy will have to be well surrounded to allow his hypothetical new team to win a World Series.
Until then, the shopping will be intense on the side of Los Angeles as the expectations of the fans of the team will be no less high in anticipation of the next season.
- Speaking of Aaron Judge: he made some fans happy in New York.
- The Yankees have filed a new offer for the outfielder.
- These are movements that were expected.
