3 Reasons Why the SF Giants will not get Aaron Judge in free agency

The SF Giants have been linked to Aaron Judge as possible suitors if Judge tests the free-agent market this upcoming offseason. While it is fun to daydream about, this article will argue that there are three key reasons why the SF Giants will not be able to sign Judge this offseason.

3 Reasons Why the SF Giants will not get Aaron Judge in free agency

On its face, the rumor makes some degree of sense. Judge was a Giants fan as a kid while growing up in Northern California, so there is the potential that geography becomes a factor.

From the Giants' perspective, it is clear why they would want Judge. He is one of the preeminent sluggers in the game of baseball. Adding him to their lineup would instantly bring them closer to the Dodgers or Padres in terms of pure talent on the roster.

Judge would also add star power to a roster that currently does not have much of it. With the likes of Barry Bonds, Buster Posey, and Tim Lincecum gone, adding Judge would provide a new face for the storied franchise.

Many of you may be yelling at your screens: just do it! Pay the man and bring him back to Northern California! He is the outfield slugger we have been searching for for so long!

If only it were that simple.

While it is easy to fall in love with the idea of Judge in a Giants uniform, the reality is that it is still not likely to happen.

Giants fans are far too familiar with losing out in the Giancarlo Stanton and Bryce Harper sweepstakes to assume that signing Aaron Judge will be a walk in the park (especially when that park is as pitcher-friendly as Oracle Park is).

The following slides will examine three reasons why the SF Giants will not be able to sign Aaron Judge in this upcoming offseason.

3 Reasons Why the SF Giants will not get Aaron Judge in free agency

Reason #1: The ballpark

It is no secret that at least part of the reason why the Giants have struggled to lure big name free agent hitters to the confines of Oracle Park is because the park is notorious for being pitcher-friendly.

Many were probably been influenced by years of paltry offensive numbers from the Giants which only convinced them that the cool air of San Francisco and odd dimensions of the ballpark would prevent them from putting up robust numbers at the plate.

Despite this reputation, it is possible that Oracle Park is not as much Kryptonite to hitters as previously thought. Take, for instance, the fact that the Giants led the National League in home runs last season despite playing half their games at Oracle.

This could be used in an argument by the Giants' front office that high offensive numbers are still a possibility even with the poor reputation the park may have among hitters.

However, I think that the reputation of Oracle as too pitcher-friendly will ultimately sway Judge. It is likely he wants to keep putting up high home run numbers and may be spooked by Oracle's reputation and opt for a place that is more hitter-friendly.

This is only one reason why Judge will not sign with the SF Giants in free agency.

3 Reasons Why the SF Giants will not get Aaron Judge in free agency

Reason #3: The Giants are not the only team that wants Judge

As was previously alluded to in the last slide, the SF Giants are far from the only team who will want the services of Aaron Judge going into this offseason.

While money should not be an issue, there are teams out there with bigger pockets who may be willing to shell out even more money than the Giants are to convince Judge to sign with them.

Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees surely stand out as the biggest impediments to the Giants being able to land Judge. With the year he is having, the Yankees would certainly seem keen to keep Judge, arguably the face of their franchise, for as long as they can.

Judge himself has even said that he wants to be a Yankee for his entire career.

If this is true, then it may be tough for the Giants to break through and sign him if there is a lot of mutual interest to keep Judge in a Yankees uniform for a long time.

In sum, it is easy and understandable to fall in love with the idea of Aaron Judge signing with the Giants this offseason. But given facts such as Oracle Park historically favoring pitchers, the Giants reticence to sign big name free agents to lucrative deals, and the fact that there are other attractive and dedicated suitors suggest that Aaron Judge will likely not be a Giant anytime soon.