Insider: Dodgers 'are a real threat' to sign Aaron Judge away from Yankees

Not everybody is assuming that All-Star slugger Aaron Judge staying with the New York Yankees is essentially a given.

For a piece published Thursday afternoon, The Athletic's Jim Bowden mentioned that the Los Angeles Dodgers "are a real threat to offer a deal that could persuade Judge to leave the Yankees" in free agency. 

"The Dodgers potentially have a lot of money coming off the books, including the salaries of free agent Trea Turner; Cody Bellinger, who is arbitration-eligible and made $17 million this year, but they could trade or non-tender him; Justin Turner, who has a club option at $16 million with a $2 million buyout; and Craig Kimbrel, who made $16 million this year," Bowden explained. "That’s more than enough to land Judge."

Bowden continued: 

"The Dodgers could have (Mookie) Betts play center field if they move on from Bellinger and land Judge. Or Betts could play second base, if they move Gavin Lux to shortstop and don’t re-sign Trea Turner." 

For what it's worth, Bowden agreed with ESPN's Jeff Passan, MLB insider Jon Heyman, and Jake Mintz of Fox Sports and put the Yankees atop the list of teams most likely to sign the uncrowned American League Most Valuable Player who rejected New York's seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension offer before this past season. Heyman recently said the Linden, California, native is "not really a San Francisco guy," but Bowden had a different reason for why Judge may snub the San Francisco Giants this fall. 

"They are retooling and don’t have a clear path to the postseason for at least a few years, especially with the Dodgers and (San Diego Padres) in the same division," Bowden said of the Giants. 

Earlier on Thursday, Passan said that front-office officials at the general managers meetings "pegged a Judge deal somewhere in the neighborhood of eight years and $320 million." Bowden noted the Dodgers "would be willing to go to eight years" for Judge but may also offer the four-time All-Star selection "a four-year deal in the $200 million range." 

It's unknown how much Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is willing to spend to avoid losing his "cash cow" before Christmas.