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The Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball woke up to a major free-agent signing by the New York Yankees to begin Day 4 of the Winter Meetings on Wednesday. Free-agent outfielder Aaron Judge is returning to the Yankees after agreeing to a 9-year, $360MM contract on Wednesday morning.
Source confirms: Aaron Judge in agreement with Yankees, nine years, $360M. First: @JonMorosi.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2022
The Yankees along with the San Francisco Giants were believed to be the finalists for Judge. With the Giants having missed on Judge, there is a growing expectation that the team will look toward the free-agent shortstop market.
The San Francisco Giants now will jump into the shortstop free agent pool where Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts and Danby Swanson await
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 7, 2022
It has been no secret that the Cubs have been heavily involved in the free-agent shortstop market this offseason and the Giants entering the mix may complicate matters in regard to the pursuit of Carlos Correa. Speculation has insisted that the Giants would be preparing a massive offer to Correa in the event that they did not land Judge. With Judge now off the board, there is no question that the free-agent shortstop market will intensify.
More Cubs News
Cody Bellinger marked the first significant free-agent signing for the Chicago Cubs this offseason as the team agreed to a one-year deal with the former National League MVP worth $17.5MM.
The Cubs also bolstered their starting rotation on Tuesday night with the signing of free-agent starting pitcher Jameson Taillon to a four-year deal.
The Cubs will hold the 13th overall selection in the 2023 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
Winter Meetings Rumors
Free-agent first baseman Dominic Smith is back on the Cubs' radar this offseason.
Free-agent starting pitcher Kodai Senga does not appear to be close to making a decision on which Major League Baseball team to sign with.
The Cubs missed on free-agent first baseman Josh Bell as Bell signed a 2-year, $33MM deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
The San Diego Padres were a mystery team involved in the market for Aaron Judge.
Aaron Judge flew into San Diego at the last minute to decide among three teams: the New York Yankees, the San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres. The Yankees bumped their offer to nine years and $360 million, and in the end, Judge decided he wanted to remain a Yankee.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2022
Free-agent starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, a rumored Cubs target, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Taijuan gets 4 year deal from Phils
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2022