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While the Houston Astros sipped champagne at the visiting clubhouse, the New York Yankees were left staring into the off-season abyss after dropping the fourth and final game of the American League Championship Series on Sunday in the Bronx.
The future of record-breaking slugger Aaron Judge, manager Aaron Boone, general manager Brian Cashman is now under even more scrutiny after the sweep. What’s worse, the Yankees have now made it to the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons, but have yet to advance to the World Series in that time.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner must now be wondering if this team is capable of winning, as it is. And if he wants to keep the Bombers intact, how much will he be willing to spend to do that?
Judge rejected a $213.5 million extension offer in April. Now, heading for free agency after breaking the Roger Maris team and the American League record with 62 home runs, Judge’s value in the open market could be significantly higher.
There’s a real chance Judge’s career would have ended in pinstripes when he reached the final in Sunday night’s 6-5 loss against the Astros, who completed the sweep as the Yankees unraveled with another defensive collapse.
After that, Judge declined to say he would be back with the Yankees.
When asked if his goal is to stay in the Bronx, Judge told reporters, “I’ve been clear on that since I first wore the pinstripes. But we couldn’t get anything done for spring training and now I’m a free agent and we’ll see what happens.
“Having the opportunity to wear the pinstripes and play on right field at Yankee Stadium is an incredible honor that I have never taken for granted. I always check myself before the game and say a little prayer and I look around the stadium a bit and pinch myself a little.’
Judge didn’t give much directions, but did talk about his time in New York in the past tense.
“There are very few individuals who get the chance to run on that pitch and do that and play for the fans who have been supporting us here all six years,” he added. “It was a special time and I’m just kicking myself for not taking that championship home for them.”
Judge’s ability is unquestioned, but his disappointing postseason, coupled with his age (30) could make Steinbrenner and the Yankees think about breaking the bank to keep him in New York.
While leading the Major League with 131 RBI’s and finishing second in the AL with a .311, he hit only .139 with three RBI’s and 15 strikeouts in the postseason, hitting 1 for 16 (. 063) went without RBIs. against the Astros. He made the final on a comebacker.
“It’s baseball, man. I mean, it happens all the time when the greatest have to endure a battle,” Boone said. ‘It’s a game of failures. You will have some ups and downs.’
Able to negotiate with all teams from the sixth day after the World Series, Judge gets a big reward for betting on himself. He could force a contract worth more than $300 million.
“It’s all through my agent,” he said. ‘I haven’t even thought about the next step yet. But like I said, we have time to find out.”
Boone agreed to a three-year contract last October with a team option for 2025. In his fifth season as manager, New York sprinted to a 61-23 record in early July, providing comparison with the 1998 Yankees championship. But hampered by injuries, the Yankees went 38-40 the rest of the way.
Cleveland expanded the Division Series to five games and Boone’s pitching and outfield decisions were repeatedly questioned. The debate will only heat up after he left Nestor Cortes on Sunday night, allowing All-Star left-hander Jeremy Pena’s tying three-run homer. Boone then removed Cortes and the Yankees announced that the southpaw had another left groin injury.
The New York defense was a constant problem in the playoffs, committing six errors and failing several times. The Yankees hit .173 with 103 strikeouts in nine games after the game, including .162 against the Astros. Jose Trevino was 0 for 11, Oswaldo Cabrera 0 for 9 and Josh Donaldson 1 for 13.
“I could sit here and make excuses if a ball falls this way, a ball falls that way, or a pitch is made here and there.” Judge said. “But the bottom line is they just played better than us, defended better, got the big hits and got away with the series.”
Without a World Series title since 2009, New York enters an offseason in which pitcher Jameson Taillon, outfielder Andrew Benintendi and utilitymen Matt Carpenter and Marwin Gonzalez are eligible for free agency along with relievers Chad Green, Miguel Castro, Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman.
“They risked me coming back from rehab and elbow surgery,” Taillon said. ‘I enjoyed my time here. I would certainly like to come back.’
First baseman Anthony Rizzo could opt out and give up a $16 million salary for next season, and the Yankees will likely exercise a $15 million option on pitcher Luis Severino instead of paying a $2.75 million buyout .
Brian Cashman, the general manager since 1998, is finishing a five-year contract. He has tried in recent years to adjust the roster to make the batting order less right-handed and improve the defense. The process began when Gleyber Torres was moved to second base in September 2021 and catcher Gary Sánchez was traded last winter, and continued with the acquisition of centerfielder Harrison Bader in August, who hit .333 in the postseason with five homeruns. .
New York missed DJ LeMahieu, who may need toe surgery, and Benintendi, who is recovering from wrist surgery.
“It’s a terrible day, only a terrible ending. It stings. It hurts,” Boone said. “Obviously we missed some key contributors that I think would have potentially made a difference to us.”