NJ.com | Mike Rosenstein: Arson—um– I mean, Aaron Judge is on his way to San Francisco? There’s reportedly an offer for him “in the neighborhood” of $360 million, but a report by Jon Heyman of a near-deal has since been retracted, and Heyman admitted he rushed the story. No one knows exactly what’s happening, but it’s been a wild afternoon in Major League Baseball.
Sports Illustrated | Max Goodman: How did the Yankees react to the Heyman Report? They were just as surprised as you. “I called [general manager Brian Cashman] and said, “What’s the matter?” He said nothing,” Boone recalled. Boone also called it an “awkward” situation.
ZEIT.com | Sean Gregory: Aaron Judge Named 2022 TIME Athlete of the Year. Although it is quite an achievement, he had a lot of interesting quotes in the article, to say the least. It is mentioned that he once had a dream in 2010 to play for the Giants and that he was “a little upset that the numbers were coming out” regarding the team’s original spring training bid.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Tommy Kahnle is back in pinstripes! The Yanks have signed the rights to a two-year, $11.5 million deal as he seeks to bolster the bullpen. The 33-year-old played 13 games for the Dodgers last season and posted a 2.84 ERA after returning from Tommy John surgery.
For more on Kahnle from us as PSA, see Andrew’s messages, Kevin’s immediate response, and Josh’s analysis.
Sports Illustrated | Max Goodman: Speaking of pitching, the Bombers have shown interest in left-handed starter Carlos Rodón. The Yanks were reportedly in “daily contact” with him, and he’s a starter they preferred to Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom because he’s younger than both. Rodón is reportedly aiming for a six-year deal worth up to $180 million.
We’ll wrap up the news with a report that may morph into something real by morning. But as of midnight EST, it looks like former Yankees starter Jameson Taillon will sign with the Cubs for 2023 and beyond:
Taillon was a fixture in the New York rotation from 2021-2022 after striking an offseason deal with the Pirates. Having enjoyed two healthy, productive seasons following Tommy John’s surgery, those contributions cannot be taken for granted. If this is indeed the end, good luck to Jamo at Wrigley, and the responsibility rests with the Yankees to increase their rotation in his absence.
To update
The Cubs have agreed to sign free-agent pitcher Jameson Taillon for a four-year, $68 million deal, sources say @JeffPassan and me.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 7, 2022
Taillon is a goner indeed, and hey, he’s done well on a four-year, $68 million deal. The Yankees chose not to make him a $19.65 million one-year qualifying offer, and it ended up working for him.