Yankees' Aaron Judge Wouldn't Sign Contract with 'Loser' Like Cubs, Evaluator Says

The three-time All-Star may not sign up to play just anywhere if it's a losing environment as he prepares to become a free agent.

One of Judge's rivals said he wouldn't sign with a loser like the Cubs.

Most Cubs fans agree with that assessment of their franchise at this point.

The goodwill that came from the Chicago championship team has been wasted by the owner. Spending on rosters is down from the previous year.

The World Series team is not the same as before. Kris Bryant was traded prior to the trade deadline last year.

The trades provided a small boost to the Cubs' farm system, but they don't have an elite group of prospects waiting in the wings.

The Athletic'sKeith Law ranked their system as the 16th-best in MLB, with one top 100 prospect.

The next great crop of Cubs prospects won't arrive until Judge is in the middle of a long-term contract. He will be 31 in April and has never experienced a down period in his career.

The Cubs are the third worst team in the league. The team hasn't won a game in the playoffs since the NLCS against the Dodgers.

Judge was selected by the Yankees in the first round. After making his MLB debut late in the 2016 season, he became a full-time player the following year. He won Freshman of the Year and was second in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.

In Judge's first five seasons, the Yankees have made the playoffs every year. Through 68 games, they have the best record in baseball. At this point, no other team has more than 45 victories.

Judge wanted to sign a long-term contract with the Yankees before opening day, but he didn't.

Cashman said the team offered him a seven-year deal. It would have made the total value $230.5 million if the club had offered $17 million for the 2020 season.

It appears to be a brilliant move by Judge. He has a.300 batting average with 25 homers and 50 runs scored in 66 games.