Before the Dallas Cowboys reclaim their annual title in a month, the New York Yankees are currently the perennial sports media punching bag.
The team is teetering on a collapse, fading to retain their AL East crown and clinging to the league’s final Wild Card spot. Even with the fourth-easiest remaining strength of schedule, the dramatic dip in performance has created an overwhelming sense of pessimism for the remainder of the campaign, even if the squad can sneak into the postseason.
The one saving grace is Aaron Judge, who is having another scorching year at the plate, and consistent dominance is entering rarified air in a historic context.
A collection of ESPN baseball analysts recently ranked Judge as the best player in the sport and predicted him to win his third MVP with a significant injury caveat.
“The Yankees go as Judge goes, and a recent flexor strain produced a scare for a club suddenly fighting for a playoff spot,” Jorge Castillo wrote. “While the flexor strain impacts his throwing far more than his hitting, it also affects his ability to grip a bat. He should win AL MVP as long as he stays on the field, but that’s not a guarantee for the remainder of the season.”
If Judge exits the lineup for a prolonged period of time, New York has no chance to escape this rut.
Even with the league’s fourth-highest payroll, this roster lacks consistent high-end talent to supplement the four-time Silver Slugger.
The fate of manager Aaron Boone and many decision-makers throughout the organization could hinge on the next few weeks, which makes Judge’s health even more vital.
