The New York Yankees came into their American League Division Series with plenty of momentum. They had been one of the hottest teams in the big leagues for six weeks and had disposed of the archrival Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card round of the playoffs in consecutive games.
This appeared to be the year that the Yankees had a chance to do something that they had not done since 2009 when they last won the World Series. However, dominating the Red Sox is one thing, but getting on the field and competing with the Tampa Bay Rays is quite another. The Yankees were simply not ready for Prime Time against this sharp, small-market team.
The record shows the Yankees were swept in the 3-game series, but the reality of it was much worse than that. They couldn't hit, they didn't pitch when it mattered, and worst of all, they could not field the baseball. The Yankees committed four errors in the second game of the series but actually could have been charged with more than that. The legacy of the great New York Yankees franchise took quite a bit of shrapnel in that game.
Judge clearly disappointed with Yankees showing
When the Yankees could not hold serve on their home field in Game 3 of the series and the Rays celebrated at Yankee Stadium — just like the Toronto Blue Jays did a year earlier — superstar Aaron Judge sat on the bench in the Yankee dugout and watched them enjoy their achievement. Judge had missed the final weeks of the season and the playoffs due to a calf strain, just as he had missed the majority of the season with a rib fracture. It was a lost year for the Yankees captain and three-time Most Valuable Player.
After he finally left the dugout and retired to the Yankees clubhouse, he spoke to the media about his feelings as his team went down to defeat. Judge usually holds out hope for the future and doesn't demand change. That was not the case after the Yankees were thoroughly beaten by the Rays.
“We’re the Yankees,” Judge said, per The Athletic. “I feel like they should go all-in and do what they need to do. If we got holes, it’s finding certain players or personnel, whatever we need; you gotta go out there and get it. That’s why I signed back here to play with the Yankees, to fight for a championship every single year. We go all-in. That’s what I do every offseason. I try to get ready to give this team and this city everything I got. So I expect them to do the same.”
Will Hal Steinbrenner make key management moves?
Judge has thrown down the gauntlet to his team. While he did not call out either by name, he can't be happy with manager Aaron Boone or senior vice president/general manager Brian Cashman. These are the two men most responsible for the state of the team in 2026. If the Yankees were to make changes with either of their leaders, it would not appear to upset Judge. Firing one or the other — or both — would certainly bring the more emotional Yankees fans quite a bit of satisfaction.
That may or may not happen, depending on what kind of move Hal Steinbrenner wants to make at this point. George Steinbrenner never would have put up with this kind of failure from the organization. The bombastic boss from 1973 through his death in 2010 was known for his explosive reactions whenever his team lost key games — and especially when his team was embarrassed on the field.
The current owner is certainly measured in his responses and he may take some time to decide what he wants to do. But after hearing his superstar express his disappointment, this would be the time for Steinbrenner to make a major move or two.
Yankees have multiple on-the-field issues
Article Continues BelowThe starting pitching staff that includes Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Will Warren appears to be in good shape. The bullpen also provided quite a bit of support. David Bednar has proved to be an outstanding closer following some initial difficulty after he was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline. Relievers Paul Blackburn, Brent Headrick and Fernando Cruz were solid in the regular season and should continue to serve as assets for the team.
But there are significant areas to improve in the lineup. The Yankees could have been more involved in bidding for third baseman Alex Bregman after he opted out of his contract with the Red Sox. The Yankees were content to employ Ryan McMahon at the position. While Bregman would eventually sign and star with the Chicago Cubs, McMahon had 11 home runs and 41 RBI while slashing .213/.279/.357. This was clearly a poor decision by the Yankees.
In addition to third base, other weaknesses and inconsistencies included Trent Grisham in centerfield, Jazz Chisholm at second base and the revolving door at shortstop that included Anthony Volpe, Jose Caballero and youngster George Lombard Jr.
Judge did not call out his specific teammates, but he knows the Yankees don't have the kind of equivalent talent on the field as the Rays. This is the bottom line.
The Yankees are the most iconic franchise in American sports. The fact that they have to take a back seat to the Rays is a sad commentary and that's why radical changes have to be made.