Barry Bonds Wants Yankees' Aaron Judge to Break HR Record, Hopes Giants Sign Star

Major League Baseball's single-season home run record holder is rooting for Judge to break his mark and leave the New York Yankees.

Barry Bonds said in a phone interview that he would like Judge to go for his record of 73 homers and then the San Francisco Giants would sign him.

Bonds hoped he would sign here. Is it possible? I'm not sure. The Yankee payroll is a factor. We would love to have him.

With 13 games left in the regular season, Judge has hit 60 homers. He became the sixth player in MLB history to hit 60 homers with his solo shot in the ninth.

In 2001, Bonds set a new record. He did not seem to be too protective of the record in his interview.

Bonds thinks Judge could hit one a day and get past him. I don't pay attention. Why wouldn't you?

Roger Maris' American League record of 61 home runs was set by the Yankees in 1961. Judge's pursuit of history is on everyone's mind, but his pending free agency is affecting the Yankees.

With his performance, Judge has increased his value and leverage. The four-time All-Star is the favorite to win the American League's Most Valuable Player award.

Cashman told reporters before the start of the season that Judge had turned down the team's contract offer. The team offered $17 million in arbitration for 2022, but the deal didn't work out.

The Giants have $103 million in payroll. They could make a lot of noise this year after a bad year.

The San Diego Padres have a 7.5 game lead over the Giants for the final NL playoff spot.