Yankees Legend Gives Brutally Honest Take After Dodgers’ Blowout

Jeter’s former teammate and fellow analyst Alex Rodriguez pointed out that this was a series where the Yankees missed ace Gerrit Cole. Cole is out for the season after Tommy John surgery. 

“Without Cole you have to pitch (Saturday’s starter) Will Warren,” Rodriguez said. “This is a tough lineup for him.

Jeter had nothing but praise for his successor as the Yankees' captain. Aaron Judge hit two home runs for the Yankees’ two runs on Saturday. He has three in two games.

“He’s locked in,” Jeter said.

Rodriguez also praised Judge as playing “on the next level,” and then he went speechless.

But the broader message is clear from two former Yankees who won a World Series together in 2009. Judge may be on the level to take on the Dodgers, but the Yankees have work to do if they want a 2024 World Series rematch down the line.

As the series heads into the finale, the Yankees face the challenge of regrouping quickly against a Dodgers team that’s proving why they’re contenders.

Jeter’s honesty serves as a wake-up call for New York and GM Brian Cashman as the season starts to get into trade season. The Yankees had a chance to see how they measured up against the competition this weekend and as Jeter said, the Bronx Bombers fell way short.