Hall of Famer predicts free agency may put New York ‘on its ear’

Saturday October 29, 2022

Will Aaron Judge make a move to Citi Field? The Mets won’t leave any chance to torment the Yankees. But Hall of Famer John Smoltz suggests the Yankees may swap Aaron Judge for Jacob deGrom of the Mets.

The Mets and the Yankees are getting ready to fight to keep their best players, so there is definitely tension in the air in New York. Big names on both teams will get a taste of independence and might want to fly away during their free agency.

After the World Series, Jacob deGrom, the Mets’ best player, is likely to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Aaron Judge had turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million deal before the season started. He will also be a free agent after the World Series.

Dan Patrick of NJ Advanced Media asked John Smoltz, “What do you do if you’re Aaron Judge?”

The eight-time All-Star replied:

“You shock the World and go to the Mets. I could actually see a scenario where deGrom and Aaron Judge actually flip teams which would really set New York on its ear.”

If deGrom moved from Queens to the Bronx, he and Gerrit Cole would make a great pitching team. But Jon Heyman of the New York Post says that’s not likely to happen.

If deGrom leaves the Mets, the Yankees think it’s because he doesn’t like New York. One league source says, “The Yankees aren’t going after deGrom,” which isn’t surprising.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan also claims, “I don’t know if the Mets are going to be involved in Aaron Judge, that’s not clear at this point.”

Do you think both Aaron Judge and deGrom will move in opposite directions?