Aaron Judge Enters Year 10 with One Goal in Mind: A World Series Title
TAMPA, Fla. - Aaron Judge has racked up just about every individual accolade a player could dream of. Another AL MVP?
Check. A captain’s “C” on his chest in the Bronx?
Check. A Hall-of-Fame trajectory that’s hard to argue with?
Absolutely. But for Judge, entering his 10th full season in pinstripes, there’s still one box glaringly unchecked: a World Series ring.
“I’ll never be satisfied until we go out there and finish it,” Judge said, echoing a sentiment that’s become a rallying cry for Yankees fans in recent years. “I don’t get paid to just play this game. I get paid to win here.”
That’s the mindset of a captain who’s not just showing up - he’s setting the tone.
Elbow Concerns Behind Him
Judge’s 2025 season was hampered by a strained right flexor that limited his time in right field and forced him into a DH role for much of August. It was a frustrating stretch for a player who prides himself on being a complete contributor on both sides of the ball.
“That was the toughest thing for me last year,” Judge admitted. There were moments, he said, where surgery felt like a real possibility. But after the season ended, he was cleared to throw just two weeks later - no surgery required.
Now, after a full offseason throwing program, Judge says the elbow is “feeling great, no issues.” That’s a big deal for the Yankees, who rely on his defense as much as his bat.
Taking the Reins for Team USA
Next month, Judge will step into another leadership role - this time on the international stage. He’s set to captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, taking over from Mike Trout.
He passed on the 2023 WBC due to the whirlwind of re-signing with the Yankees and being named the team’s first captain since Derek Jeter. But this time, the timing felt right.
“I just wanted to be there for those guys,” Judge said of joining Team USA. And he’s not just showing up - he’s ramping up. His WBC prep has involved throwing with more intensity earlier than usual and treating live BP like it’s October.
Manager Aaron Boone plans to give Judge more reps than usual when Grapefruit League games kick off Friday. Judge is expected to leave Yankees camp for WBC duties on March 1, alongside teammates David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt.
Facing the Future - and the Fastball
In one of the more buzzworthy moments of early camp, Judge squared off in live batting practice against Yankees top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange - and the duel didn’t disappoint.
Judge took a 99-mph fastball deep, only to get punched out later by a 102.6-mph heater. He also got a look at Lagrange’s sweeper and changeup.
“He’s impressive… he’s going to be special,” Judge said. But it wasn’t just the stuff that caught his attention.
“It’s the presence he has on the mound. He came right after us.
If you’re going to play in the Bronx, you’ve got to have that demeanor.”
It’s high praise from a player who knows exactly what it takes to thrive under the Yankee Stadium lights.
Camp Judge: Leading by Example
By early January, Judge was already in Tampa, leading a growing group of early-arriving Yankees in organized workouts. It’s not just about getting reps - it’s about building chemistry.
“The more time we get together, get to kind of gel and be around each other, that’s only going to equal more wins for the Yankees,” he said. “I’m always harping on guys about trying to get here early. Let’s put the work in… and good things are going to happen.”
It’s a captain doing what captains do - setting the standard before the first pitch of spring.
Watching and Waiting During a Quiet Offseason
This winter tested Judge’s patience. Like many fans, he watched as other teams made splashy moves while the Yankees remained relatively quiet. Cody Bellinger’s prolonged free agency, in particular, was tough to sit through.
“That was brutal,” Judge said. “I’m seeing other teams around the league get better… and we were kind of sitting there for a while making smaller moves.”
His reaction? Classic Bronx grit: “Man, we’re the New York Yankees. Let’s go out there and get the right people… to finish this thing off.”
Eventually, the Yankees did make their move, signing Bellinger to a five-year deal and bringing back key in-house free agents. They also traded for lefty starter Ryan Weathers. Judge was vocal in his support of Bellinger’s return, calling him the kind of all-around player the team had been missing.
“He adds a dynamic we’ve been missing for quite a few years,” Judge said.
Running It Back - With Purpose
Despite falling short last year, Judge is all-in on the Yankees’ decision to bring back much of the same core.
“People might have their opinions on it. We didn’t win it all last year… but we get a chance to get a lot of those guys back who are impact players,” he said, pointing to the clubhouse presence of guys like Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario.
He’s also looking forward to the returns of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt from the injured list - a trio that could reshape the rotation if healthy.
Fine-Tuning the Details
As for personal goals this spring? Judge is zeroing in on baserunning.
“If I can find a way to get myself in scoring position, if they’re going to walk me… then some good things are going to happen,” he said. Whether that’s stealing a base or taking the extra 90 feet, it’s about maximizing every opportunity in a stacked lineup.
He’s also embracing the league’s new Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), calling it “exciting” and encouraging teammates to be aggressive with challenges during exhibition games.
“I’ll find the right time to use it,” Judge said. And while he’s often seen borderline strikes below the knees, he believes Giancarlo Stanton has taken the brunt of it. That’s why he’s urging the team to experiment now - to build a smart strategy for the regular season.
Locked In and Leading the Way
Aaron Judge isn’t just entering his 10th season - he’s stepping into it with urgency. With a healthy elbow, a stronger roster, and a clear mission, the Yankees’ captain is locked in on the one thing he hasn’t done yet: win it all.
And if his tone is any indication, he’s not planning on waiting much longer.