Aaron Judge’s impact is as big as his bat.
The man with a market capitalization of $360 million owns the Yankees’ clubhouse in the Bronx and literally had a hand in building the clubhouse at their spring facility in Tampa, advising Hal Steinbrenner on the renovations.
Judge had a say in everything from kit choice to the club’s use of analytical data.
Will he also have a vote on any Yankees trade deadline moves?
“We’re going to keep it in-house,” Judge said Tuesday at Fordham University’s Jack Coffey Field, where his All Rise Foundation was hosting a baseball camp for kids in grades 1-8 to teach them the fundamentals of baseball.
Judge did not want to say whether he had lobbied on behalf of any specific players or if he planned to do so in the future.
The Yankees have a variety of needs, from bullpen talent to third baseman and possibly outfielder, and Judge, who has been a major contributor to the Yankees, could also serve as a scout or general manager.
He said he has a “great relationship” with GM Brian Cashman, who was unavailable by phone on July 30, and Steinbrenner.
“The Yankees signed me to keep me here long term,” Judge said before the Yankees opened the Subway Series in the Bronx, “and if you ask us all, I think all three of us want to win.”
“So I think if we all work together and give our input, things will be a lot better.”
Like all Yankees fans, Judge wants the team to get better.
The Yankees are putting all their efforts into acquiring Juan Soto, who will become a free agent at the end of the season this year.
They will feel pressured to make the most of the opportunities that now open up to them.
To maintain their chances, the team needs to fill some holes, including adding to an offensive line that only has two solid weapons and bolstering a bullpen that’s been overwhelmed with injuries.
“I think if you ask any team, any player, if there’s a way they can improve, a way they can get better, everyone would agree with that,” said Judge, who worked with about 200 kids during the three-hour camp. “I don’t know what that means or what it’s going to look like, but I think whatever happens, everyone in that room is going to be ready and prepared to go.”
With the Yankees having lost 20 of 30 and entering the game 1 1/2 games behind the Orioles in the American League East, Judge reiterated a common refrain within the organization: “Bad times lead to good times.”
“You have to get through the hard times,” he said. “You have to overcome some obstacles, injuries, setbacks. I think if you look at any of the good teams over the last 10 or 15 years, it’s not an easy road to the top in any sport.”
“You have to go through tough times to find out who you are, and once you get through those tough times, it’s always going to help you in the future.”
