As the Yankees fall below the .500 mark and look to on their way to another season without a pennant, Sal Licata says it’s about time the team’s captain and superstar gets some of the blame for the team’s struggles.
After a brutal playoff showing in 2022 and an inability to get his team off the mat after returning from another extended IL stint, Sal says Judge needs to start being held accountable for the team’s current state.
“This is more about the career of Aaron Judge, not just this year - but Aaron Judge has been the face of the Baby Bombers since 2017,” Sal said. “He was the reason they exceeded expectations and got them to game seven of the ALCS. He’s the one who broke the home run record last year. He was a beast. He’s been the guy for this team. He’s also been the guy who hasn’t been able to get them to a World Series.
“Being hurt, that’s a part of it. And since he’s been back, the Yankees haven’t been any good. I get he’s hobbled and it’s a bad toe. I get it, I get how great he can be. But why is Aaron Judge absolved of all blame here, when you look at what’s gone wrong with the 2023 Yankees? He should be front and center. He is the guy.”
Judge has been mainly pitched around since his return from the IL, and has a very solid .876 OPS in 18 games since coming back from injury. But the Yanks have gone 6-12 since. As for his playoff performances, Judge certainly got off to a slow start (aside from homering in his first playoff game in the 2017 Wild Card Game), but from game one of the 2017 ALCS through the end of the 2019 ALCS, a span of 21 playoff games, Judge hit .300 with seven home runs and a 1.017 OPS. His home runs to start the 2018 Wild Card Game and game two of the ALDS that year set the tone for big wins, and was part of a series in which he hit .375 in four games against the Bombers’ archrivals.
However, it has been a steep drop-off since then, with Judge posting a .565 OPS in 17 playoff games since, and Sal says it’s time for Judge to get at least some share of the blame.
“I love Aaron Judge. Great player,” Sal Licata said. “However, enough about Cashman, enough about Boone. Aaron Judge needs to be held responsible here. He’s now the captain of the team. He’s been the leader and the face of a franchise that has failed year after year.
“How did he do against Cleveland last year? Bigger picture, has Judge gotten it done in the postseason once since he’s been here? He’s a great player…but we’re overlooking the biggest part that’s been here. He’s the one guy from 2017 on that hasn’t delivered.”
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