The New York Yankees’ season ended in disappointment with an ALDS loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. However, that was not due to the performance of right-handed slugger Aaron Judge. The 33-year-old right fielder elevated his play throughout the MLB playoffs, posting a .500 batting average, .581 on-base percentage and 1.273 OPS over seven games, finally breaking through his postseason struggles.
During the regular season, Judge continued to operate as the league’s most dominant hitter. He was unstoppable at the plate, finishing with a .331 batting average, .457 on-base percentage and 1.144 OPS across 152 games. All three marks led MLB and earned him the first batting title of his 10-year career.
As a result, Judge narrowly edged out Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners on Thursday to win the AL MVP Award during the 2025 MLB Awards Show. It marked the third time he has earned the honor in the last four seasons, an extraordinary display of sustained excellence.
On Friday, the Yankees shared reactions from general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone. Boone’s message read as follows in the team’s post, “I know I say this often when meeting with our media throughout the season, but I don’t ever want to become desensitized by the consistency and the enormity of his accomplishments. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to use words to capture how good he is. He’s just playing at a higher level and has been for quite some time.”
“It has been an absolute privilege to watch Aaron’s ascension. He’s already fashioned a career that matches up with the all-time greats. I see it every single day and I think it’s critical to acknowledge the work that Aaron puts in to maintain this inconceivable level of excellence as a player. While we are in awe of everything he does between the lines, he is beloved in our clubhouse for how he embraces his role as captain, prioritizing the needs and success of the team above himself. I am thrilled to see Aaron acknowledged again in this way. Congratulations AJ!” the post continued.
Boone has managed Judge for the majority of his career, and the two now have eight seasons together. However, the duo has yet to end New York’s championship drought, as the Yankees have not won it all since 2009. They will get another shot in 2026, and Judge will be expected to shoulder much of the offensive load once again. Based on his current trajectory, there is no sign he is slowing down any time soon.
Dec 9, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow speaks with the media at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In the spider web of infinite potential offseason outcomes for the Boston Red Sox, one thing is clear: They need a power bat.
Trevor Story led the Red Sox with 25 home runs this year, and while it was great to see a resurgence from the veteran shortstop, contending teams don’t lack 30-homer bats. The Red Sox also traded away Rafael Devers, who went on to finish the year with 35 blasts, in the middle of the season.
Regardless of what happens with Alex Bregman’s free agency, this offseason should be judged in large part by whether the Red Sox can lock up either Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso, two clear 40-homer threats. Will they get the job done?
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that the Red Sox would acquire Alonso, and projected a five-year, $145 million contract for the New York Mets’ five-time All-Star first baseman.
“At times last winter, it felt like Pete Alonso was more interested in the Mets than they were in him. Ultimately, he did return to Flushing on a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause after 2025,” wrote. “Alonso used that opt-out to return to the free-agent market, where he might not be inclined to be as patient with the Mets.
“Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is looking for a middle-of-the-order bat for manager Alex Cora’s lineup, and Alonso may be the missing piece for a Boston group already budding with young talent, particularly if they can’t pry Kyle Schwarber away from the Phillies.”
There would be so many questions left to answer if we knew right now that the Red Sox and Alonso were destined to wind up together. What would it mean for Bregman? Could it signify that the Sox were more inclined to trade for a No. 2 pitcher rather than signing one? And what about Triston Casas?
However, adding a guy who never gets hurt and has averaged 42 homers per 162 games in his career would be a huge difference-maker for the Red Sox, so under almost any circumstances, one would have to view it as a win for Breslow and the front office.