3 decisions Yankees must make to win World Series with Aaron Judge

Another MLB season, and the same result for the New York Yankees. An early exit in the postseason. This season’s team wasn’t built to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, and they looked out of place against the AL East champs.

If the Yankees want to win a World Series in the Aaron Judge era, they must make these three decisions.

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Establish a new identity

Apr 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (left) talks with right fielder Aaron Judge (right) before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

What is the Yankees’ current identity? Home runs or bust. The biggest issue with this team is its offense. The game is changing, and the current philosophy of this team is not working. They have won a World Series since 2009. That is now 17 years since their last ring.

Everyone says that the team needs to be a contact-first team. While that is true, there are too many players on this team with years of control who rely on the home run ball. It will be difficult to get off of Giancarlo Stanton’s contract; Aaron Judge is staying. Luis Garcia Jr. just hit 30 home runs and then went ghost in the playoffs; Ben Rice is very good, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. is now a free agent. 

Do the Yankees start relying on young talent now? George Lombard Jr. had a strong postseason and can be their future shortstop for years to come. He has strong defensive skills, and his bat-to-ball is above average. Spencer Jones didn’t look super comfortable in the postseason, but he still had lots of promise in the regular season. Cam Schlittler is an elite ace in the making and is going to carry this pitching staff for years to come.

Creating a new identity can help this team evaluate players in a different way and start winning games without relying on home runs. Relying on home runs does not work anymore in this stage of baseball. The teams that win are the ones that create rallies by getting base hits and being smart on the base paths.

Hiring a new general manager and manager

Mar 23, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman (left) and manager Aaron Boone (17) talk prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

While this series may have been on the players, a new voice is needed in the clubhouse and the front office. Brian Cashman is building teams in the wrong way, and some recent trades have been poor. Investing in guys like Ryan McMahon, giving Trent Grisham the qualifying offer, and giving up a top prospect for Heliot Ramos has set this team backward. Luckily, they can move from Grisham, but the process is still bad. 

A new voice will help this team and create a new identity in establishing a new culture. Under Aaron Boone, this team was weak and undisciplined. Aaron Boone is 27-30 as a Yankee manager in the postseason. 

Grabbing elite talent for Aaron Judge

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees injured right fielder Aaron Judge (99) watches from the dugout during the second inning of game three of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

When the Yankees acquired an elite player like Juan Soto, the team was very successful. Now, this team will have to look at all options to help out their captain. Aaron Judge may not admit it to the New York media, but deep down, you can sense the frustration from the Yankees captain.

Names to monitor in this offseason include Japanese star Teruki Sato, who can help this team on the corner with his elite bat. The Yankees need more players who are impactful on offense. 

Overall, this Yankees team needs to establish a new identity and get rid of Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone. Things are not working, and running it back doesn’t work. Teams are getting better, and the Yankees need to stop allowing that.

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