Aaron Judge Sends Message to Yankees Front Office Ahead of Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 3:08 PM ET

Aaron Judge isn't one to shy away from expectations. He routinely takes responsibility when he fails to drive in baserunners or strikes out. The New York Yankees slugger has admitted after every season in the big leagues it was a failure because the Bronx Bombers did not win a World Series.

So, he has expectations for the Yankees front office as well. He laid them out plainly after Sunday's win over the A's.

Asked about Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s performance, Judge didn’t just praise his teammate, it sounded like a message to GM Brian Cashman.

“That’s why we got him,” Judge told reporters. “That’s what the Yankees do. We go out for guys that are going to make an impact and make this team better. As a guy that makes this team overall better — defensively and offensively — you stick them in the middle of the order, good things are going to happen.”

That’s a captain talking. And it’s hard not to read it as a message to Cashman with the trade deadline now a month away.

The Yankees head in to Toronto Monday night with a 1.5-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East and the third-best record in the AL.

It's been a decent start to the season, but the Yankees' needs have been exposed. They need another right-handed power bat, preferably an infielder who can play third base. They need some help in the bullpen and possibly another starter.

This isn't news.

Cashman said he'd like another right-handed bat at the beginning of the season. Losing Gerrit Cole for the season and without the expectation of Luis Gil back on the mound until later next month, he knows he needs pitching.

Judge knows the pain of having a season end in disappointment all to well. Last year, the 32-year old came so close, only to have the Yankees embarrassed in the World Series.

Judge knows the weight of expectations that will be on him in October. He's just reminding Cashman and the Yankees' front office what he expects from them at the trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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