Oct 20, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) flies out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the ALCS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees at Houston Astros
Major League Baseball is investigating whether the Mets and Yankees communicated improperly with Aaron Judge.
According to The Atheletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the league has opened an investigation into thanks to an article that was posted on the Mets’ television network’s web site that stated the the club would not bid against the Yankees in order to sign Judge. That could be viewed as a breach of the collective bargaining agreement. Rosenthal notes that the MLBPA can file a grievance over the situation.
One MLB owner having an agreement with another to not pursue one of the top free agents, or even sharing information about players, could technically constitute as illegal collusion, but it will be up to MLB to determine if that “mutually respectful relationship” falls in that category.
Judge is expected to sign the biggest contract in the history of the sport this offseason. The Yankees still remain the overwhelming favorite to ink the 30-year-0ld soon to be 2022 MVP.
