Aaron Judge discusses first full offseason as Yankees team captain

All-Star slugger Aaron Judge is in the early weeks of his first full offseason as captain of the New York Yankees but is already thinking about how he and the club can improve upon a disappointing 2023 campaign. 

"Ninety-nine percent of my offseason is preparing for the next season," Judge told Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post while at a Make-A-Wish and Fanatics event. "[I’ll be] spending some family time and just kinda resetting so my body and mind are ready for the next season. I’m not doing too much… A short vacation, a short one."

Judge's playing future was very much in question at this time last year, and he eventually completed a headline-grabbing free-agency journey by signing a nine-year, $360M contract to return to the Yankees and become the 16th captain in the history of the storied franchise. The 2022 American League Most Valuable Player then missed nearly two months of action this summer because of a torn ligament in his big right toe, and his return to the lineup in late July couldn't spark the Bronx Bombers to a playoff berth before they ultimately finished with a record of 82-80. 

Judge openly discussed the Yankees needing changes late in the season and reportedly will have the ear of team owner Hal Steinbrenner regarding the club's direction. It's widely believed Steinbrenner will retain senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman, and those two are expected to bring manager Aaron Boone back for the start of next season. 

"It’s definitely been a busy offseason," Judge acknowledged. "I think a lot of it is about taking care of a couple steps. There are a lot of steps I gotta take and I think just having those conversations and getting everything rolling with this extra month we get off in October — I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a great season next year, and it’s going to be a great offseason for us."

Judge repeatedly backed Boone amid the club's struggles this year and seemingly will have his desired skipper in the dugout on Opening Day 2024. Boone has a year left on his contract that includes a club option for 2025, and it remains to be seen if Judge will have any say in how Steinbrenner handles that option next October.