The New York Yankees, long considered top contenders in the AL East and favorites for the World Series, have fallen short of expectations this season. Their struggles worsened when captain Aaron Judge suffered an elbow flexor injury, sidelining him for 10 games and exposing the team’s underlying weaknesses.
Currently sitting third in the AL East, clinging to the final wildcard spot, the Yankees have visibly felt the impact of losing Judge, widely regarded as their most valuable player. Insider Jared Diamond explained on 98.5 The Sports Hub why the team’s performance without Judge was not surprising, comparing him to baseball legend Babe Ruth.
Diamond emphasized,
“Actually, I don’t think it’s as big of a surprise as some people have been suggesting,”
highlighting the team’s ongoing issues:
“The Yankees are a fundamentally flawed team, they’ve been a fundamentally flawed team all season long. It’s been hidden largely by the fact that they have Babe Ruth in the middle of their lineup.”
On the importance of Aaron Judge, Diamond added,
“Aaron Judge, to me, is the single most important player to his team of anybody in baseball. Suddenly, he was gone for a couple of weeks, and they simply could not withstand that loss.”
He also pointed out how Judge‘s impressive performance masked other problems:
“Having a guy that’s hitting .350, with 45 homers in the middle of lineup, it hides a lot of problems. The reality is, the Yankees without Aaron Judge are fundamentally different, than with Aaron Judge. We saw that during his absence.”
Yankees End Losing Streak With Narrow Victory Over Rangers
After trailing the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East, the Yankees appeared poised to regain momentum following a strong showing at home, winning three out of four games against the Tampa Bay Rays. However, their progress was halted by a difficult five-game skid that included a sweep by the Miami Marlins and back-to-back losses against the Texas Rangers.
The team finally snapped the losing streak with a hard-fought 3-2 win in the final game of the Rangers series in Arlington on Wednesday. This victory offers some relief for Yankees fans who have witnessed the team’s troubling start to August, hoping it marks a turning point in their season.
Why Aaron Judge’s Absence Reveals Deeper Issues for the Yankees
Judge’s injury not only sidelined a superstar but also exposed the Yankees’ dependence on his exceptional play. His ability to maintain a high batting average and deliver power hitting concealed deficiencies in other areas of the lineup. Without him, the team lacks the offensive firepower and leadership needed to compete at a championship level.
This situation underscores the fragile balance within the Yankees’ roster and highlights the urgent need for contributions beyond their captain. Unless they can address the fundamental gaps that Judge’s presence previously overshadowed, the Yankees risk continuing their struggle to secure a playoff spot and contend for the AL East crown.