NEW YORK — When Aaron Judge speaks about this Yankees team, there is no pause or doubt. The captain who dropped a routine fly ball in last October’s World Series insists that chapter is closed. He believes this version of the Bronx Bombers is built to finish what they could not a year ago.
“We have such a lengthy lineup,” Judge said as the regular season wound down. “We traded for Ryan McMahon, who was hitting three or four for the Rockies and now he’s hitting [eighth or ninth] for us.”
That kind of depth, Judge argued, separates the 2025 Yankees from earlier rosters that fell short in October. As New York prepares to face Boston in the Wild Card Series on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, the captain views this as the most complete group he has played with.
Why this Yankees roster looks different
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The Yankees closed the season 94-68, identical to last year when they advanced to the World Series. Judge says the similarity in records ends there. After Juan Soto left for the Mets in free agency, general manager Brian Cashman restructured the roster rather than replace him with a single star.
Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt provides steady defense and patient at-bats. Cody Bellinger brings his championship background from 2020. Jose Caballero, acquired in a trade, has strengthened the infield.
“You add Paul Goldschmidt, you add Cody Bellinger, you make a big trade for José Caballero,” Judge said. “Professional at-bats, great defense. We’re in a good spot.”
Jazz Chisholm at second base has given the Yankees a new lease of life. Anthony Volpe, despite his offensive and defensive slide earlier, has been on fire after taking epidural shot. Rice is cooking extraordinary performance for the Yankees. Judge believes these pieces have closed gaps that doomed past Yankee teams.
Moving past the World Series nightmare
Judge knows the play that haunted last October. In Game 5 of the World Series against the Dodgers, he dropped a routine fly ball in center field. The error cost the Yankees dearly in a game and in a series they eventually lost.
“I think falling short in the World Series will stick with me until I die,” Judge said that night in Los Angeles.
Nearly a year later, he says that mistake has faded into the background.
“Haven’t thought about it in I don’t even know how many months to be honest,” Judge said. “You can’t just sit there and dwell on it. You learn from it, the good and the bad. And then you move on.”
This will be Judge’s eighth postseason. He has been eliminated in every round before, from a one-game Wild Card loss in 2021 to back-to-back defeats to Houston in the ALCS. Missing the playoffs in 2023 was a low point. Each setback has become a motivator.
“You learn from it,” Judge said again. “Then you move on.”
Metric
2024
2025
BA/OBP/SLG
.248/.333/.429
.251/.332/.455
wOBA
.331
.338
xwOBA
.343
.350
wRC+
118
119
Runs Scored (RS)
815
849
Stolen Bases (SB)
88
134
Home Runs (HR)
237
274
How experience shapes this October run
The trip to last year’s Fall Classic gave the Yankees lessons they have carried into 2025. The group now knows what it takes to push through seven-game series, the noise of opposing crowds and the weight of Yankee expectations.
“It helped us out throughout the season,” Judge said. “We went through a tough stretch and we had to answer questions about how we’re going to recover from every tough loss. All that does is give you a little bit more armor, toughen up your skin a little bit to go out there and keep competing.”
In the clubhouse following Sunday's regular season finale, the captain talked about matching up with Garrett Crochet & the Red Sox in the Wild Card round. #YANKSonYESpic.twitter.com/BF5Km2arZe
That stretch came in June and July, when New York stumbled to a 27-35 record. The division lead evaporated. By September 17, the Yankees trailed Toronto by five games.
Then came the surge. The Yankees won 14 of their final 17 contests, arriving in October healthy and sharp. Manager Aaron Boone said the team now feels “probably the healthiest and most balanced we’ve been all year.”
Injuries still linger. Ace Gerrit Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery and Clarke Schmidt has been sidelined since July. But Max Fried anchored the rotation, while Carlos Rodón steadied things in late August.
What Judge brings to the table
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Even while assessing the team as a whole, Judge has carried the Yankees individually. He hit 53 home runs and secured his first batting crown, joining an elite group as only the third player in history to combine 50 homers with a batting title in one season.
He was at his best down the stretch. Judge batted .383 with a .540 on-base percentage and .829 slugging percentage over his final 26 games. He entered the playoffs at peak form rather than limping in.
Final 26 games (September surge)
AVG: .383
OBP: .540
SLG: .829
HR: 12
Runs scored: 29
Judge’s postseason career average of .205 falls short of his regular-season dominance. But momentum can change everything in baseball’s short October series. The Wild Card format also eliminates the five-day layoff that often dulls hitters on division-winning clubs.
Navigating a treacherous October path
The playoff road is not forgiving. Boston, led by ace Garrett Crochet, opens the Wild Card series. The left-hander tormented the Yankees all season, going 3-0 with 39 strikeouts in 27.1 innings.
If New York moves past Boston, Toronto looms in the Division Series. The Blue Jays dominated the Yankees at Rogers Centre this summer, taking six of seven games there from June 30 to July 23. That run ultimately cost the Yankees the AL East crown.
Beyond that, Judge knows teams like Detroit, Cleveland or Seattle could line up in the ALCS. By comparison, last year’s path through Kansas City and Cleveland looked less daunting.
“We’ll be ready,” Judge said.
His belief is shared across the clubhouse. Bellinger called this “the most talented team I’ve ever played for.” Cole added, “this team can win the World Series.” Boone said he feels “as good about this team as any team I’ve had at this point in the season.”
Judge has learned October requires more than power. It takes defense, depth, resilience and the ability to recover from losses. He sees all of those qualities in this roster.
Sixteen years have passed since the Yankees last celebrated a championship parade down the Canyon of Heroes. Judge insists this team is ready to change that.
Esteban Quinones is a proud graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Growing up just blocks away from Yankee Stadium in Upper Manhattan, Esteban developed a deep love for the New York Yankees, a passion that has been a constant throughout his life. Whether it's cheering for the Yankees or crafting strategic communications, Esteban brings dedication and enthusiasm to producing content around all things Yankees.
