The message Aaron Judge quietly sent to the Yankees after last season
TAMPA — Aaron Judge did not sugarcoat his message. In his own quiet way, the outfielder and team captain made sure everyone in the Yankees clubhouse understood how he felt after last season.
For the first time since Judge became an everyday player in 2017, the team failed to make the playoffs.
“That was unacceptable,” he said in late February.
“A lot of guys were embarrassed. I think it was a wake-up call for a lot of us. Nothing was said. Nothing needed to be said. I think just, collectively, as a group we all kind of looked at each other and said, ‘This can’t happen again.’”
So, Judge was thrilled when he rolled into the Yankees’ player development complex on Himes Avenue this past winter to see a lot of his teammates already there.
Pitcher Nestor Cortes was rehabbing his shoulder and stayed long after the program had finished to be part of the offseason team. Third baseman DJ LeMahieu was there. So was shortstop Anthony Volpe.
Spring training began for most of the Yankees in January, and it was fueled by anger.
“There is determination,” manager Aaron Boone said. “They weren’t happy about last year. No one was. They were here early and determined.”
It wasn’t just the players working overtime this past offseason.
General manager Brian Cashman, whose front office has taken more criticism over the past year than in his previous 25 at the helm, pulled off perhaps the biggest remodel of a team in the American League.
He acquired Juan Soto, one of the best hitters in baseball, in a trade with the Padres. Coupled with Judge, Soto could help give the Yankees the toughest Nos. 2-3 hitters in baseball.
Cashman also completely reworked the outfield. Alex Verdugo, acquired in a trade with the Red Sox, will play in left. Trent Grisham, part of the return in the Soto deal, will see time in center when Judge serves as the designated hitter.
After sending several pitchers, including Michael King, to San Diego to get Soto, Cashman then signed former Blue Jays, Mets and Cubs starter Marcus Stroman to help fortify the rotation.
“I think the guys in here all looked in the mirror after last season, and they knew that it wasn’t their best. That’s why you saw them here earlier this winter,” Judge said. “And I think the front office went out and made the moves to put us in a position to be better this season as well.”
The biggest key to the Yankees’ success, however, will be their health.
They already have lost reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole for the start of the season to an elbow issue. Cortes, an All-Star in 2022, will step in as the opening-day starter. Carlos Rodon, who was injured and then awful in the first year of his six-year, $126 million deal, has to be better this season.
In addition, Judge’s health continues to be a concern.
When he’s healthy, he is arguably the best power hitter in baseball. While repeating his 2022 season, when he played 157 games and hit an American League-record 62 home runs, may not be possible, the Yankees need him on the field for more than the 106 games he played last season.
He strained a hip while sliding awkwardly into third base during a game against the Twins in late April. Then in June, he tore a ligament in his right big toe after crashing into the cement bottom of the wall at Dodger Stadium. While he avoided surgery, he missed 42 games to the injury, and it limited the team’s offense.
Judge sat out nine days this spring with an abdominal injury but returned Wednesday and hit an RBI double in his first at-bat against the Pirates. He said his big toe will require maintenance to avoid flareups, but he feels good otherwise heading into the season.
He also believes the club understands the message he sent after last season.
“I am excited about it,” he said. “I am excited about this team. I saw what it meant to them when they were coming to the complex this winter. I know no one in here wants to be embarrassed like that again.”
