Yankees Captain Judge Relieved After 'Brutal' Offseason Wait

Judge says he's 'right where we need to be' after Yankees mostly brought back 2025 roster

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge admitted it was 'brutal' to wait on his team to make offseason moves, but he's satisfied with the roster the Yankees have assembled heading into the 2026 season. Judge said he expressed his desire for the team to be more active in free agency, but the Yankees mostly brought back the same core group that lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 ALDS. Judge is also healthy after dealing with an elbow injury at the end of last season.

Why it matters

The Yankees are one of baseball's biggest spenders, so their relatively quiet offseason was surprising. As the team's captain and reigning AL MVP, Judge's perspective on the team's roster moves carries a lot of weight. His comments provide insight into the team's offseason strategy and the players' mindset heading into the new season.

The details

Judge said it was 'brutal' to watch other teams around the league make moves in free agency while the Yankees were mostly quiet. The team's biggest additions were re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger to a 5-year, $162.5 million deal and bringing back veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on a 1-year, $4 million contract. The Yankees also traded 4 prospects to the Marlins for left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers. But overall, the Yankees are returning the same core roster from 2025 that lost to the Blue Jays in the ALDS.

  • Judge made his first media availability of spring training on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • The Yankees' 2025 season ended with a loss to the Blue Jays in the ALDS.

The players

Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees captain and 3-time American League MVP.

Cody Bellinger

An outfielder who the Yankees re-signed to a 5-year, $162.5 million contract.

Paul Goldschmidt

A veteran first baseman who the Yankees brought back on a 1-year, $4 million contract.

Ryan Weathers

A left-handed pitcher the Yankees acquired from the Miami Marlins in a trade.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees.

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What they’re saying

“It was brutal. I'm like, 'I see a lot of free agents out there.' I'm like, 'Let's sign these guys right now and start adding more pieces,' because I've seen other teams around the league get better.”

— Aaron Judge, New York Yankees Captain (Field Level Media)

“We're right where we need to be. I love it. I don't know, people might have their opinions on (running it back) because we didn't win it all last ⁠year and fell short in the Division Series.”

— Aaron Judge, New York Yankees Captain (Field Level Media)

What’s next

Judge said his right elbow is at full strength after his flexor strain last summer did not fully heal. Manager Aaron Boone recently said Judge ⁠would play in four or ‌five of the Yankees' first nine Grapefruit League games as he ⁠gets back to throwing at game speed.

The takeaway

As the Yankees' captain and reigning AL MVP, Judge's perspective on the team's offseason moves carries significant weight. His comments reveal the players' desire for the team to be more aggressive in free agency, but also his satisfaction with the roster the Yankees have assembled heading into the 2026 season as they look to bounce back from their ALDS exit in 2025.