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 #2: They don't want to pay him

Signing Aaron Judge would be a very out of character move for Farhan Zaidi and the SF Giants. Since he has taken over as president of baseball operations, the Giants have tried very hard to avoid the kind of massive multi-year deals that would be required to reel Judge in.

That being said, the Giants may feel that Judge is the player they need to put them over the top going forward against teams as stacked as the Padres and Dodgers.

But in order to get Judge, the Giants may have to get in a bidding war with the Dodgers, as well as many other teams who relish the idea of Judge on their team.

The question is whether the Giants are willing to do anything it takes to outbid other teams and convince Judge that San Francisco is where he can come to win championships.

Recent history would suggest they are not willing to do that or may come up short. More often that not they have not entertained massive free agents and when they have, as in the case of Bryce Harper, they have come up short in their effort.

Plus, the Giants may take a key lesson they have learned from this year: bigger names and bigger deals don't always equate to better results. the Giants have gotten the steal of the offseason so far by nabbing the services of Joc Pederson for only $6 million. So far he is outperforming players who received contracts far exceeding Joc's.

Perhaps they rationalize that a massive deal that keeps Judge a Giants into his late thirties is not worth it when they could just roll the dice on several lower cost guys to see if they can have high-value seasons like Pederson.

Going off of the Zaidi m.o. that certainly seems like the more likely outcome. The Giants front office may prove everyone wrong, but to me they seem committed to short-term deals on guys that will give them more return for their buck.