TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge opened up about the frustrations of the team's subdued offseason during his first media availability of spring training on Monday, describing the wait for moves as "brutal" while expressing confidence in the roster that emerged.
Judge, the three-time and reigning American League Most Valuable Player, spoke to reporters at the Yankees' spring training facility in Tampa, where he addressed the slow pace of transactions that left fans and players alike on edge. "It was brutal. I'm like, 'I see a lot of free agents out there,'" Judge said. "I'm like, 'Let's sign these guys right now and start adding more pieces,' because I've seen other teams around the league get better."
The Yankees, known for their aggressive spending in free agency, took a more measured approach this winter, which Judge admitted tested his patience early on. "Early on, it was pretty tough to watch. I'm like, 'Man, we're the New York Yankees. Let's go out there and get the right people, get the right pieces to go out there and finish this thing off,'" he recounted. When asked if he voiced these concerns to the front office, Judge grinned and replied, "Yeah, oh, yeah."
Coming off a 2025 season where the Yankees finished with a 94-68 record, they lost the AL East title to the Toronto Blue Jays in a tiebreaker and were then eliminated by Toronto in the American League Division Series. The team largely ran it back with familiar faces, a strategy that drew mixed reactions from analysts and supporters expecting blockbuster acquisitions.
Center fielder Trent Grisham set the tone by accepting the Yankees' qualifying offer last November, a move that provided stability but signaled a quieter winter ahead. For a stretch, the Yankees were the only team in Major League Baseball that had not added a new player, a stark contrast to their reputation as one of the league's biggest spenders.
The drought broke with a trade in December, when New York sent four prospects to the Miami Marlins in exchange for left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers, a 30-year-old starter looking to solidify the rotation. But the most notable additions were re-signings of key players from the previous year's roster.
Outfielder Cody Bellinger, who had been a standout contributor in 2025, returned on a five-year, $162.5 million contract signed last month. Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt also came back, agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal that brings his experience and power to the lineup once more.
Judge defended the approach, telling reporters, "We're right where we need to be. I love it. I don't know, people might have their opinions on (running it back) because we didn't win it all last year and fell short in the Division Series." He emphasized the strength of the core group, suggesting that familiarity could be an asset in a competitive AL East.
The offseason moves come amid broader discussions about the Yankees' strategy under general manager Brian Cashman, who has faced scrutiny for not pursuing top free agents like those who signed with rivals such as the Los Angeles Dodgers or Boston Red Sox. According to reports, the front office prioritized financial flexibility and prospect development over splashy signings, a shift from previous years.
While Judge's comments highlight internal impatience, Yankees manager Aaron Boone has expressed optimism about the team's readiness. Boone recently noted that Judge would participate in four or five of the first nine Grapefruit League games as he ramps up throwing at game speed, a cautious plan to ensure the slugger is fully prepared for the regular season opener on March 27 in Houston.
Judge's own health provides another layer of positivity heading into camp. Last summer, he dealt with a flexor strain in his right elbow that lingered into the postseason, raising concerns about potential surgery. "I was definitely concerned" after the playoffs ended, Judge admitted, unsure if he would need an operation.
Fortunately, team doctors cleared him after thorough testing. "They ran all the checks again and did all the tests and they said, 'You're good to go,'" Judge recalled. "And I said, 'All right, when can we start throwing?' So it was good. It was great. It was great to hear those words so that now I can go into the offseason and just prepare the way I need to be in the best shape to start the year."
Now at full strength, Judge is focusing on leading by example in Tampa, where the Yankees' spring training schedule kicks off soon. His presence, both on and off the field, remains central to the team's championship aspirations, especially after falling short against Toronto last October.
The AL East figures to be a dogfight again, with the Blue Jays bolstered by their own offseason additions and the Baltimore Orioles emerging as a young powerhouse. For the Yankees, the decision to reload rather than rebuild entirely could pay dividends if the veterans gel quickly, but it also leaves little margin for error in a high-stakes division.
As spring training unfolds, all eyes will be on how Judge and the re-tooled roster perform in exhibition play. With the World Series as the ultimate goal, Judge's endorsement of the winter strategy underscores a belief that the Yankees are poised for a deep run, even if the path there felt agonizingly slow at times.
The Appleton Times will continue to cover the Yankees' preparations from Tampa, providing updates on key players and emerging storylines as the season approaches.