Aaron Judge, who, to be fair, didn’t play any innings for the New York Yankees this postseason, voiced a strong sentiment following the ALDS defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. He seemed to convey a pretty straightforward message: Fix it. Now.
At least, that’s the gist of it.
In a controversial Game 3, the Judge-less Yankees were eliminated by the Rays, with the game highlighted by fan interference that nullified a game-tying homer by Anthony Volpe. The final score read 4-3 in favor of Tampa Bay.
Judge, unfortunately, couldn’t contribute as he was sidelined for all postseason games due to a right calf strain and had played only 66 games this season—a career low if we disregard the unusual COVID season in 2020.
This year was quite the struggle for Judge—a season filled with frustration and tension, particularly with manager Aaron Boone as the season drew to a close.
Yankees Fans Are Skeptical
“We’re the Yankees. I think they [the front office] should really go all-in and do what’s necessary,” Judge stated. “If we have gaps, whether it’s recruiting certain players or whatever, it’s time to go get it. That’s why I chose to stay with the Yankees—to pursue a championship every single year.”
It was clear Judge was sending a message straight to Brian Cashman and the executives—essentially saying, “Go fix this.”
Now, a few points worth considering:
- The Yankees feature one of the top rotations in the American League, and their bullpen is also among the best.
- They hold the third-highest payroll in Major League Baseball, reaching a staggering $308 million this season, while the Rays operated on a budget of just $95.6 million.
- Judge’s expenses alone amount to $40 million, nearly equivalent to half of the entire budget for the Rays.
- Again, it’s worth repeating: Judge wasn’t part of the postseason roster and played only 66 games this season.
Fans have seized upon this last point, and it’s been quite the uproar on social media surrounding the Yankees. Clearly, there’s a general sentiment of dissatisfaction. Fans are unhappy, and it seems the players feel the same way.
We’re already at that stage of the offseason where fans are calling for Boone’s dismissal, and it hasn’t even been 24 hours since the loss.
Judge’s comments tend to hit differently when you consider he has hardly been on the field since June. It raises eyebrows when one makes such proclamations without having played a significant role in the season.
All rise!
