MLB Finds No Collusion Between Mets, Yankees on Aaron Judge

MLB has completed its investigation into possible collusion between the Mets and Yankees to suppress the free agency of superstar Aaron Judge and found “no basis for any claim of collusion” according to a report from Sean Gregory of TIME. The MLBPA declined to comment and could still choose to file a grievance, which would be heard by an independent arbitrator.

Earlier this month, SNY’s Andy Martino reported that the Mets would not enter a bidding war with the Yankees for Judge due to the respectful working relationship between Mets owner Steve Cohen and Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. Following that report, the Players Association asked the Commissioner’s Office to investigate whether there was improper communication between the two owners, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Judge is the top prize among position players in free agency after slugging an AL-record 62 home runs in 2022. In addition to a possible return to the Bronx, the outfielder has been linked to the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers in recent weeks.  The Mets, meanwhile, do have an open spot in their outfield, pending what happens with Brandon Nimmo, and are one of the few teams in the MLB that would be able to afford Judge’s massive asking price.

Still, even without any agreement between the team’s owners, it seems unlikely Judge will swap New York teams in in 2023. The Mets appear more likely to spend big on fortifying their rotation by re-signing Jacob deGrom or landing another top free agent like Justin Verlander or Carlos Rodon.