Aaron Judge approaching last chance to stop Yankees legacy from unraveling

World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 4
World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 4 | Al Bello/GettyImages

There is a difference between "overreacting" and simply acknowledging that a narrative may take an ugly turn.

No one can deny that New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge has put up exceptional numbers over the course of his nine-year career, but the slugger has struggled to solidify an identity as a transformative bat during the postseason. With the 2025 season approaching, it could be Judge's last chance to stop his legacy from unraveling.

For Judge, this mission will be two-fold. The 32-year-old will have to once again put up a stellar regular season campaign, and then show he can exorcise his October demons. He'll also have to see some of the acquisitions he's reportedly pushed for succeed. Judge is not just an athlete, but also a critical confidant of the Yankees' front office. The additions of Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger will also fall partially on Judge's shoulders as he looks to reverse a narrative that's become more troublesome by the day. Alex Verdugo, after all, falls mainly on his ledger last year.

Aaron Judge approaching last chance to stop Yankees legacy from unraveling

Any conversation regarding the upcoming season (even as it pertains to Judge) must start with the departure of Juan Soto. New York's lineup was a dangerous force with Soto in the lineup, and Judge received much-needed help as a result.

The lineup will look different next season, and Judge will need to maintain his level of productivity if the Yankees have designs on getting back to the Fall Classic. Even though Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and others will help the offense, Judge will not necessarily have the luxury of a truly disciplined hitter like Soto in front of him.

Of course, Judge has shown he can carry a regular season lineup. His 62-homer year was a sight to behold, and even though he only played 106 games in 2023, he still managed to crack 37 home runs and post a 1.019 OPS.

If he can stay healthy, it's safe to assume the Captain can be his typical self during the spring and summer months. Ultimately, Judge has reached the point where he'll be assessed by his postseason success.

He was underwhelming this past October. He hit .184 across 14 games, and made one of the most consequential (and embarrassing) errors of the World Series. Further, he holds a career .205 postseason batting average, and has never enjoyed a "monster run" during any of New York's previous October appearances.

Whether it is fair or not, the narrative surrounding Judge is that he falters once the leaves begin to change. While most Yankees fans will still defend the home-grown star, he's running out of time to prove that his legacy will include more than regular season dominance, front office failures, and postseason mediocrity.

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