Yankees’ Aaron Judge Doesn’t Hold Back About Anthony Volpe

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge said the club needs Anthony Volpe to contend for a World Series after the team’s latest early postseason exit extended a championship drought to 17 years.

The Yankees finished 93-68 and second in the AL East before sweeping the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series. They then lost the American League Division Series 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays, with scores of 1-0, 5-2 and 4-3.

Judge, a three-time AL MVP, missed the entire postseason. A right rib stress fracture sidelined him for most of the summer after an April diving play, and a right calf strain in mid-September ended his season. He appeared in only 66 games, batting .241 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs.

After the elimination, Judge pointed to Volpe as a key piece for the core.

“If we were gonna go win a World Series, we need Anthony Volpe on the team,” Judge said.

Volpe, 25, entered the majors as a highly regarded shortstop prospect often compared to Derek Jeter. He has drawn mixed reactions from fans after inconsistent offense and defensive lapses that led to two minor-league demotions this season.

Called back up, he shifted primarily to second base late in the year and showed improvement on both sides of the ball. In 70 games, Volpe hit .245 with two home runs, 28 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the ALDS Game 3 loss.

The Yankees view top prospect George Lombard Jr. as the long-term shortstop. The 21-year-old debuted in August, hit .237 with seven home runs in 152 at-bats, and started at shortstop in the postseason.

That leaves second base as a potential opening for Volpe. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is expected to become a free agent after a down year in a contract season. Chisholm batted .231 with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs and a career-high 41 stolen bases in 137 games. He was booed by fans in his final at-bat of Game 3 and did not start the elimination game, with Volpe getting the nod instead.

Yankees leadership has shown less willingness to retain Chisholm at a high price after the disappointing season. Other clubs may offer more money given his age and speed.

Judge has previously voiced support for additions such as Chisholm and Ryan McMahon. Those comments, along with his postseason remarks urging the front office to go “all-in,” have drawn pushback from some fans and reportedly left some team executives annoyed.

Judge remains the face of the franchise on a nine-year, $360 million contract. The Yankees last won the World Series in 2009, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies. They have not reached the Fall Classic since a 2024 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Whether Volpe locks down a starting role next season will test Judge’s assessment. The Yankees open the offseason with clear roster decisions at second base and shortstop while seeking to end the title drought.