Aaron Judge Calls Out New York Yankees Front Office

When asked about the team running back the same core from last season, Judge was very blunt and gave his honest opinion about how hard it was to watch the team be inactive early on in the offseason. 

“But early on, it was pretty tough to watch. I’m like, ‘man, we’re the New York Yankees, let’s go out there and get the right people, get the right pieces to go out there and finish this thing off. We’ve got a special group of players here. We’ve got a good core, a good young core. It was frustrating, but I think we’re right where we need to be.”

While Judge is happy where the team is now, watching talent go to division rivals while the Yankees stood pat definitely rubbed him the wrong way. If it’s any consolation, the fanbase feels the same way. Coming off an embarrassing series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, it would’ve been nice to see the Yankees add another high-impact player while bringing back guys like Bellinger and Trent Grisham. 

There is still time to make moves before the regular season kicks off in just over a month, and the Yankees have the prospect capital to acquire high-end talent. The bullpen could use another high-leverage arm who can pitch in the eighth inning. Brian Cashman hasn’t shut the door when it comes to adding to the roster, and he needs to do more.

Yankees Need More Arms

New York’s rotation is solid and will be one of the best in all of baseball when Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon return. The bullpen, on the other hand, still has a ton of question marks. David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, and Tim Hill will handle the back end, but the middle part of the bullpen is a big question mark.

The Yankees are relying on guys like Cade Winquest and Angel Chivilli to deliver at a high level, which is a huge risk. They played the same game last year with guys like Jonathan Loasiga, and it blew up in their faces. In a stacked division, every game matters, and they can’t afford to blow leads late in games because of their bullpen. The good news is that there are still solid arms out there on the open market.

One of the top names left is Michael Kopech, who would be a really fun option for them. At just 29 years old, he still has a ton left in the tank and is expected to be ready for the season after dealing with a ton of injuries last season. He is someone who can generate a ton of swing and miss, and wouldn’t be too expensive.

How Far Will They Go?

The Yankees entered last season with a very thin, top-heavy club, but will have more balance in 2026. Manager Aaron Boone has many more pieces to shuffle around on the bench, like Amed Rosario, Paul Goldschmidt, Oswaldo Cabrera, and J.C. Escarra. Rosario and Goldschmidt will be used primarily to match left-handed pitching, while the rest of the bench is simply good depth.

While the roster is very similar, it’s better-rounded and fit for a full season. The bullpen remains the main concern, but if Cashman can make a move or two before the season begins, the Yankees are in a perfect spot. Prices for free agents as well as the trade market always tend to drop at the end of February. All eyes are on Brian Cashman to put his team over the edge and deliver the missing pieces to the puzzle.