Major League Baseball is investigating whether or not the New York Mets and Yankees communicated improperly about star outfielder Aaron Judge, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
The comments in question were made by sources from the Mets organization and published in an article on SportsNet New York on November 3. SNY is the Mets’ television broadcaster and is owned by the team.
In the SNY article, the sources told Andy Martino that the Mets have no plans to enter a bidding war with the Yankees for Judge because owners Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner have a “mutually respectful relationship.” A bidding war between the two New York teams for one of the city’s most popular athletes might threaten that relationship, the sources said.
These comments sparked the attention of the MLB Players Association as a possible indicator of improper communication between the Mets and Yankees, Rosenthal reports. The MLBPA asked the league to investigate whether this violated the collective bargaining agreement.
The MLBPA could file a grievance against both the Mets and Yankees, but they would then have to prove that Judge was harmed by the comments being leaked, according to Rosenthal.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].