Holding the Line: Yankees Lean on Depth as Judge Sidelined and Stanton Nears Return
New York's GM says the team needs to "hold the fort" until Judge makes his return
NEW YORK—The Yankees will be tested over the next two to three months without Aaron Judge. In years past, like 2023, a long-term injury to Judge would have, or did, sink their season. That should not be the case in 2026 with the Yankees having tremendous depth.
"I think we got a lot of different players that are more than capable.” Said Cashman, who met the media today. “Some are struggling so far, some are thriving. Just the ebbs and flows of the season"
Cashman is correct on one thing, there are a few parts of the Yankees lineup that are struggling and will need to pick it up to help the offense withstand the Judge injury. The main culprits are the catching position coming from Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra. The Yankees have the second lowest WRC+, 52 (league average is 100), from the catcher position in all of baseball. The Yankees will need that to improve drastically.
The Yankees are also missing the lineup contributions of Giancarlo Stanton right about now. While Spencer Jones’ recall should hopefully provide some power, it’s nothing compaird to what Stanton usally provided the Yankees lineup.
“It’s great that he’s [Stanton’s] going through the motions now, and so your talking two weeks, you talking three weeks down the line, he’s probably legitimately more likely on the radar, so it just every day now, for the most part, is important.
“He’s cleared to do obviously a lot, and now he’s just building up, and, and so look forward to hopefully those weeks going quick. So I’d love to get him back in the lineup, but obviously only when he’s physically cleared to do so. And I’m glad he’s healthy enough now to, that we can start seeing the tunnel approaching where he can clear cell and we can rejoin the party, he’s been missed.”
Stanton will not come with the Yankees on their six-game road trip to Cleveland and Toronto next week, so the hope for the Yankees is that Stanton will rejoin the roster when they return to the Stadium.
Cashman was also asked if the Judge injury would hinder the team’s current deadline plans two months out.
“No, I don’t think so.” He said. “I guess it’s a good question, because it’s something I didn’t consider, but I wouldn’t—I mean, if we expect them back, which we do, then I don’t see why that would impact something for the deadline, so we just got to hold the fort, you know, hold that spot nice and warm for him when he returns.”
Judge will certainly be missed but will return at some point this season if all goes well, and coupled with players who will return from the IL over the next few weeks, the Yankees should be able to tread water while Judge gets healthy.