by Paul Semendinger
April 26, 2024
***
Sometimes we can be so blind to the obvious that we can't see what's clearly in front of our faces.
"I know it's getting hot in here and there are flames and smoke all around, but our apartment has never been on fire before, why would it be now? Forget those sirens outside... and that ladder at the window. And ignore that man in the bright clothes and oxygen tank. The place is, absolutely, not on fire."
I know people want to believe. "He will hit. Judge will hit. I just know it. I do. I do. I DO!"
But, we are now talking more than half a season. 83 games. It has been 83 games since the Yankees rushed Aaron Judge back from an injury that he wasn't ready to come back from. (Remember, he hadn't done any outfield drills. He had very few swings. He didn't do a rehab assignment.)
In those 83 games, since he returned from injury, Aaron Judge has struck out 100 times.
In those 83 games, Aaron Judge is batting .224.
And none of that is good. None of it. But it's worse than that. He's not getting better the more he plays. I know, I know, "He'll come around. He's Aaron Judge."
I hate to say this. I hate to make such a blatant statement of the obvious, but maybe he's not Aaron Judge any longer. Sure, he's the same guy. This isn't a Beatles, "Paul is dead" silly thing, but maybe he just isn't and never will be the same player again.
A simple question to all - why is that not possible? Why is it not possible that Aaron Judge is seriously hurt? Why is it not possible that the toe injury has completely messed up his balance and his swing and everything else?
And why is it wrong to ask these questions?
And why do some feel so compelled to belittle and mock those who ask them?
Yes. I am concerned. 100%. Absolutely. And why wouldn't I be? Anyone can see that he can't catch up to fastballs and that he's fallen into his old bad habits -swinging at bad pitches. He looks unciomfortable at the plate. He's guessing. And he's guessing wrong.
I wish this wasn't true. I truly do. Absolutely. Aaron Judge is a legendary Yankee. He's great in every way. Except, maybe he will never be a great player, a player like we saw him capable of being, ever again. I hope that's not true. I don't want it to be true. But outside of hope and wishes and dreams and bibbidbi-bobbidi-boo what evidence is there anywhere that this is just a passing thing?
I know, I was mocked and laughed at and told I was wrong a gazillion times when I mentioned Dizzy Dean and his foot injury. I know so many scoffed when I suggested that the historical record indicates that it isn't a good plan to take an oft-injured right fielder at 32-years-old and ask him, with a bad toe, to play centerfield. I know so many said, "The man is fine."
I think it's time to take a step back and note that 26 games into 2024, that my concerns weren't ridiculous. It doesn't seem that the man is fine.
His performance has not been fine.
***
I don't have any comparison historically to compare this to, but in 2024, Aaron Judge has gone hitless in 46.1% of the games he's played. That sounds like a lot. That doesn't sound good in any way.
Aaron Judge has also struck out at least once in 73% of his games in 2024. That also doesn't sound good.
Worse, in 42.3% of the games he's played in this year, Aaron Judge has struck out more than once in the game.
Are any of these stats encouraging? They don't seem to be.
Even worse, 8 of Aaron Judge's 11 multiple strikeout games in 2024 have come over the last 11 days.
How can anyone not be concerned?
"Once get gets strong." "Once he gets regular playing time." On and on.
Meanwhile reality smacks one right in the face.
And this is terribly sad. Again, I like Aaron Judge. I root for Aaron Judge. I want him to be great. I want the Yankees to be great.
But, at the end of Spring Training, guess what, think back a month, he was... rushed back. "He'll be ready for Opening Day" the Yankees said.
Maybe he wasn't.
Would this be the first time the Yankees did a terrible job with an injured player?
***
So many who keep saying, "Judge is fine" also said, "DJ LeMahieu will be back soon" and "DJ will hit" and on and on.
The Yankees sent him out to play his rehab, and he lasted about an inning. It seems he's still hurt.
Hummmmmmm.
***
Aaron Boone, so many say, is a great communicator. I'm sorry. I don't see it.
A great communicator might sit down with DJ LeMahieu and ask some simple questions like, "How's the foot... really?"
A great communicator is one that players feel comfortable talking honestly with.
Communication goes two ways. One talks, and one listens. A great communicator allows people to talk openly and honestly with him.
The great communicator never seemed to have that honest conversation with Anthony Rizzo last year. "Hey pal, are you okay? Really? Talk to me..."
Maybe someone who communicates well should have an honest talk with Aaron Judge.
It's time.
***
And the line that, "players won't admit injuries," is something, when you're dealing with superstar players, isn't something I necessarily buy.
Aaron Judge isn't doing the team any favors IF (a big if) he is trying to play through something that isn't allowing him to be "right" physically.
And if he is 100% healthy, and performing like this, isn't that a bigger concern?
***
And, yet, with just these few examples, I hear, time and again... "One Gerrit Cole comes back" and "Once Jasson Dominguez gets back..."
I have said this before, when Gerrit Cole returns, there is no guarantee that he will be the same pitcher as last year. In fact, that's highly unlikely. When Gerrit Cole comes back, he might be the least impressive starting pitcher on the Yankees. This is what happens when players have big time injuries.
I know we wish it were different. I know so many want to believe it is different, but this is the reality.
And, for Jasson Dominguez, sure, I hope he's great, but he's played all of eight big league games. There is no reason, logically, to assume that he'll be an impact player on the 2024 Yankees, There is hope, but hope is nothing more than wishful thinking.
***
And, I know, "STANTON IS BACK!!!" Except, he's also not. Over his last 7 games, he's batting .136 with no homers.
Stanton had a five game stretch where he went 8 for 19 with 3 homers and 7 RBI.
The rest of this year, in all his other games, he's 10 for 62 (.161) with 2 homers and 5 RBI.
***
I wish all of this weren't true.
But it is.
And all of this is a huge concern.
The Yankees are 5-6 over their last 11 games.
In the 96 innings they have batted in during that time, they have failed to score in 75 of them. That's simply not good, on any level.
***
I hope the Yankees turn it around.
I hope Aaron Judge is healthy and turns it around.
I hope Giancarlo Stanton truly did find his swing.
I hope DJ LeMahieu heals and comes back great.
I hope the Yankees don't rush back Gerrit Cole and that he's terrific.
I hope Jasson Dominguez is an impact player once he returns.
I think I'm hoping for a lot and that many (if not all) of those hopes, as hard as it is to say, are more wishes than reality.
***
Let's Go Yankees!
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