Is Aaron Judge Helping To Make Player Acquisitions?

It’s almost comical at this point. 

Every time I dive into Yankees news, there’s another report suggesting that Aaron Judge is somehow involved in roster decisions. That’s right—the same guy who’s supposed to be leading on the field is now apparently dabbling in front-office work. Why? Because the Yankees, an organization that once prided itself on cold, calculated dominance, have turned into a feel-good clubhouse where friendships and loyalty take precedence over winning.

Let’s be real: the Yankees went into spring training looking like contenders. They made solid offseason moves, got people excited, and then—boom! Giancarlo Stanton’s elbow flared up, Gerrit Cole got hurt, Luis Gil joined him on the shelf, and suddenly, the rotation depth vanished. How bad is it? Carlos Rodón is the Opening Day starter. Let that sink in. That’s the guy they’re handing the ball to as the face of the rotation. It tells you everything you need to know about how quickly this team’s “strong” roster fell apart.

Enter Judge, who, if reports are accurate HERE, and HERE, has his sights set on Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara. Now, Alcántara is the real deal—a true workhorse who logged 228.2 innings with a 2.28 ERA in 2022. He’s everything the Yankees need: durable, dominant, and exactly the kind of pitcher who can carry a staff. But there’s a problem. He’s under contract until 2028, and prying him away from the Marlins won’t be cheap. It’s going to cost top-tier prospects, and this is where things get interesting.

If the Yankees want Alcántara, they’ll need to part with guys like Jasson Domínguez, Austin Wells, or—please, let this happen—Anthony Volpe. And if you’re still under the illusion that Volpe is some future cornerstone, I have a bridge to sell you. The Yankees propped this kid up like he was Derek Jeter 2.0, but in reality? He’s a kid playing dress-up. 

To me, he looks out of place, he talks like a teenager who just met his heroes, and he plays like someone who knows he’s overhyped but won’t admit it. If trading him gets Alcántara, you don’t think twice. You pack his bags, book the flight, and send him on his way with a fruit basket.

But here’s where things get murky: Judge being involved in this process, if true, is a problem. He’s too close to it. He’s friends with these guys. You really think he’s going to advocate for trading Volpe? Of course not. Feelings will get in the way. The same way they did when he publicly defended Aaron Boone, calling him a good manager because he “fights” for the players. News flash: fighting for the players and being a competent manager are two completely different things. Boone is a glorified babysitter who claps a lot, makes terrible in-game decisions, and somehow keeps his job because he’s a nice guy. That’s the Yankees’ problem—they’ve gone soft.

Meanwhile, other teams are going to swoop in and make moves while the Yankees sit on their hands, waiting for “the right deal.” The longer they wait, the more leverage the Marlins gain. And yes, Alcántara, if he proves he’s healthy only means the bidding war will intensify, and the Yankees will be left watching another team grab the ace they desperately need.

So, what’s the plan here? Hope that Rodón magically transforms into an ace? Pray that Cole’s arm heals faster than science allows? Stick with Volpe because feelings matter more than rings? If the Yankees actually care about winning, they need to act aggressively. Move Volpe, make the trade, and stop playing games. And if that means ignoring whatever sentimental input Judge is offering, even better. This is baseball, not a buddy movie. The Yankees used to be ruthless—it’s time to get back to that, or they’ll continue to be a team that talks big in March and folds by October.