WILL JUDGE'S POSITIVITY BE ENOUGH TO TURN THIS YANKEE SEASON AROUND?

I love Aaron Judge. He brings incredible energy to this team. But with the Yankees deep in the hole of the AL East basement and this being their last chance to play the Orioles this season, it seems like Judge's impact won't make a lick of a difference in the long run. Judge brings back positivity but it simply won't be enough to get them over the playoff edge.

Source: CBS Sports

"The Yankees captain missed nearly eight weeks and did not go on a rehab assignment. He rushed his way back with a ligament tear in his right big toe and has quickly erased any concerns about his immediate level of production. Judge stepped into a four-seam fastball from Tyler Wells and crushed it to center field, driving in Kyle Higashioka and helping the Yankees come back from an early deficit," reported The New York Post. 

Apparently Aaron Boone is going to sit Judge for Sunday's game against the O's for cautionary reasons. Seriously. I was worried about him coming back too soon anyway. Now you parade him in like a missionary only to relegate him back to the bench after only two days?

Source: CBS Sports

“Obviously as much as there’s urgency for us, we gotta be smart about that,” Boone said. “In talking with Aaron, making sure he’s honest with his feedback about how he’s recovering, how he’s bouncing back, obviously how the toe’s doing, but how everything else is doing as we get him back into the mix hopefully to a point where he’s feeling good and ready to really go every day at some point,” reported The New York Post. Sigh. Whatever.

Besides the Orioles, the Yankees have a rough road ahead of them. They have four games each against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros at home. Judge is expected to be in the mix but certainly not everyday. Later this month they also play the Atlanta Braves which is anticipated to be another tough run for the Bombers.

Bottom line, the Yankees appear to be out of options and out of time. They have not been able to string together enough consistent wins. Their bats go quiet every few games despite having the best pitcher and Cy Young contender Gerrit Cole on the hill every five games. They couldn't even score one run with Cole on the mound Friday even with Judge in the lineup. Not sure how they are expected to do anything special for the rest of the season.

I love the positivity Judge brings - the spark, the energy. But it is just not enough for the 2023 Yankees. Hopefully, the home office can make some serious changes in the clubhouse leadership for next season and get things back on track. Right now, the team is an absolute train wreck. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof