On today’s edition of The Sal Licata Show, Sal made the case that Aaron Judge’s push to play backfired once the Yankees left him off their Wild Card roster. This October may be the best shot left in his prime.
The Captain Is Out, And The Clock Is Running
Judge has a moderate right calf strain, and nobody should’ve expected it to heal in a week. “I haven’t talked to Judge ever in my life, and I knew he wasn’t gonna be on the roster.” He questioned Aaron Boone’s timeline anyway, the second straight year he’s done that. “I don’t like the fact that he’s thrown his manager under the bus two years in a row now for no reason.”
Everyone expects him to try to play through it. “It’s literally his job to get his body ready to play.” Saying so out loud just gave fans false hope.
Judge turns 35 next year, which leaves three prime seasons at best and more likely two. “Three years is not a lot, we’re on the wrong side of this thing.” After Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS, another dynasty looked like it was on the way. It hasn’t felt that way since 2021.
“It may not feel like it, but it might end up being their best shot in the Aaron Judge window where we’re currently at.”
One More Thing
With Judge out, the lineup won’t carry this team. “Their rotation is going to have to carry them to the World Series.” Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón are healthy and fresher than they’ve been in years, so there’s no excuse for a drop-off. Outside of Judge and Boone, Fried carries the most pressure. “You’re paying him big money to produce in the post season. He sucked last year in the post.”
Tonight belongs to Cam Schlittler, the Walpole, Mass., kid who’s owned Boston since last October. “At this point, the Cam Schlittler versus the Red Sox rivalry is better than the Yankees versus the Red Sox rivalry.”
“I don’t want to hear the excuses. Go get it done.”
The full episode is available below and on YouTube.