Aaron Judge once seemed destined for pinstripes greatness. In his second season, the slugger won the Home Run Derby and led the league with 52 home runs.
Then he underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left shoulder for a cartilage clean up. He hasn't been the same since.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the Yankees and Angels briefly discussed a trade involving Judge last offseason. Olney wrote it was the “lightest of flirtations” and “nothing advanced.” But the tidbit is still telling. Judge was once viewed as the undoubted future of the Yankees franchise. Now he’s frequently hurt and perpetually underachieving.
Over the last three seasons, Judge has missed 142 games due to injury, and increasingly looks like a DH. He’s developed into a decent power hitter, clocking 27 home runs in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
But those aren’t superstar numbers. This season, Judge is hitting .248 with an .815 OPS.
It’s telling the Yankees haven’t locked in Judge to a long-term extension yet. The 28-year-old will be eligible for free agency after the 2022 season.
Just four years ago, it seemed like the Yankees were on the cusp of an extended run with a new group of stars. But they’ve fallen short in the postseason, notably losing 18 of their last 23 games to the Rays, including three of five last fall.
New York’s core of Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Hicks, Gary Sanchez and Judge has never succeeded in October — despite the team’s mighty financial advantage.
After taking three of four from the Indians, there are some signs the Yankees will turn it around. Surely, they remain talented enough for a playoff push.
But this is not the second making of a dynasty. You don’t explore taking those kinds of teams apart, even for a fleeting moment.
