Anthony Rizzo's speech about Aaron Judge should sound the alarm in front office

Outside of a few minor additions along the edges, the New York Yankees have mostly put together the same roster that came up short last season. With the stunning news of how much Cody Bellinger's new contract will cost the club against the luxury tax this season, it seems more than likely that New York is done making significant additions.

The movement around baseball, and the AL East in particular, makes it feel like the Yankees are falling further behind. Sure, they won 94 games last year, but will they do the same in 2026 with the Toronto Blue Jays getting stronger, the Baltimore Orioles improving significantly, and the Boston Red Sox menacing to do more? It's not likely.

As we watched Aaron Judge accept his third MVP award, which was also his second consecutive trophy, the question remains when the Yankees are going to take winning a championship during his prime seriously.

Beyond the numerous on-field reasons why New York needs to cash in on Judge's prime, his former teammate, Anthony Rizzo, gave another perspective as to why the gigantic superstar deserves a ring while introducing him at the weekend awards ceremony.

Anthony Rizzo puts into context exactly why the Yankees need to capitalize on Aaron Judge's remaining prime

"Baseball is better because Aaron Judge is in it," Rizzo told those in attendance, and now the rest of us who have viewed the clip at home.

The Yankee captain's trophy case is awfully full with seven All-Star appearances, five Silver Sluggers, a battling title, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year award, and a Home Run Derby victory all adorning its shelves. However, Judge has been just as prolific off the field, taking home the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award, which recognized his charitable contributions.

Judge is as impactful off the field as he is on it, and he's become one of the game's great icons, being selected to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw, as well as gracing the cover of MLB The Show 26.

Judge turns 34 on April 26, and while he's been on a four-year tear that only a precious few of the game's immortal legends can hold a candle to, there's only so much longer that he can keep it up.

The Yankees' best shot at winning a World Series is with the version of Judge that is a walking batting title who threatens 60 homers annually and slugs .700. But in order to get to the top of the mountain, he can't do it alone.

Even more, Aaron Judge, the player and the person, deserves at least one ring before he ends his career, as Rizzo's statement displayed. Even if that comes at the tail end, even if it's when he's no longer one of the sport's most fearsome sluggers, it needs to happen.

Now, Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner need to get their heads out of the sand and make sure that it does. Judge has been an inspiration to many; he certainly deserves to taste the sweetest victory that baseball has to offer before he rides off into the sunset.