Yankees Star Aaron Judge Eager to 'Run It Back' After Slow Offseason

Judge admits he was 'frustrated' by Yankees' quiet offseason, but is optimistic about the team's chances in 2026.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 1:07pm

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New York Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge expressed frustration with the team's slow offseason, but is now eager to 'run it back' with largely the same roster in 2026. Judge said he was 'brutal' to watch as the Yankees made only minor moves early in the offseason, but is happy with the team's key re-signings, including Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Paul Goldschmidt. The Yankees' 'run it back' approach has drawn some criticism from fans, but Judge believes the team is 'right where we need to be' and is looking forward to the season.

Why it matters

As one of the Yankees' leaders and a three-time MVP, Judge's perspective on the team's offseason carries significant weight. His comments shed light on the internal dynamics of the organization and the challenges of maintaining a championship-caliber roster in the competitive world of Major League Baseball.

The details

Judge admitted he was 'frustrated' watching the Yankees make only minor moves early in the offseason, as rival teams improved their rosters. He said he expressed his impatience to the front office and even endorsed the team's eventual signing of free agent Cody Bellinger. Despite some fan discontent with the 'run it back' approach, Judge is happy with the team's key re-signings, including Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Paul Goldschmidt. He's also looking forward to the potential emergence of younger players like Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe, as well as the return of ace Gerrit Cole from injury.

  • The Yankees signed Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million deal on January 21, 2026.
  • Judge will turn 34 years old in April 2026, as he continues his search for his first championship with the Yankees.

The players

Aaron Judge

A three-time MVP outfielder and captain of the New York Yankees.

Cody Bellinger

A free agent who re-signed with the Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million deal.

Trent Grisham

An outfielder who accepted the Yankees' qualifying offer to return to the team in 2026.

Paul Goldschmidt

A veteran first baseman who re-signed with the Yankees for a reserve role.

Gerrit Cole

The Yankees' ace pitcher who missed the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery and is expected to return in the first half of 2026.

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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, Yankees Outfielder

“We're right where we need to be.”

— Aaron Judge, Yankees Outfielder

“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, but I'm glad that Bellinger, Grisham and Goldschmidt are still in the fold.”

— Aaron Judge, Yankees Outfielder

What’s next

The Yankees will look to build on their 2025 success and make a deeper playoff run in 2026 with largely the same roster, led by Aaron Judge and the returning Gerrit Cole.

The takeaway

Despite some fan frustration with the Yankees' 'run it back' approach, Aaron Judge's optimism and leadership suggest the team believes it has the pieces in place to contend for a championship in 2026 and beyond.