Yankees Risk Deeper Free Fall by Ignoring Aaron Judge's Advice

Aaron Judge gave the New York Yankees a warning about their effort level during that series loss to the Detroit Tigers, and it looks like they haven't listened.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) watches from the dugout in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Yankees' offensive scuffling is one thing. But their depth is at the point of redlining.

Needing to start Anthony Volpe, who has crashed down to Earth after an initial hot streak, and Austin Wells, who is statistically the worst hitter in baseball by a wide margin, is a big reason why they're putting up as many goose eggs as they have. While health is something the group can't control, their sloppiness is, and they can't seem to get out of their own way.

Every game, it feels like there's a bad throw, an infield bobble that gives the opposing team extra outs, or a lackadaisical effort on the field. There were instances of both in the last two losses against the Twins, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. being picked off at first base, seemingly unprepared for a throw, was the cherry on what would be a bad weekend.

The worst part about this streak is that, recently, Aaron Judge called out this sloppy play. It doesn't seem like his teammates have listened.

The captain calls his team out

Judge, who is stuck watching from the bench, was blunt in his assessment of the team before their 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers in extra innings.

"It's not great -- just a little lack of focus," Judge said, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "We've just got to dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys have just got to remember that every single day they show up here. We're here to win a World Series, so that's your motivation."

Motivation was the key word there. It was one thing that looked like they didn't have, and Adam Ottavino, broadcasting the game for Peacock, called that notion out when it looked like the game was out of reach for the Yankees.

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) looks out from the dugout during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"Collectively as a whole, we're just trying to do too much," Judge continued. "Everyone is trying to be the one guy that will hit the grand slam with nobody on. It's like, 'Hey, just take your approach, take your at-bat.'"

A few remedies for the swoon

Earlier in the year, it seemed the Yankees were making a more conscious effort to play their best players. Volpe was stashed in the minors after his rehab was complete, and Ryan McMahon was even benched for Amed Rosario at one point. That wasn't the sole reason why the Yankees were winning to start the year, but playing their best players was certainly a part of it.

The Yankees should get back to that. If they don't, they'll continue losing at the pace that they are, and a four-game deficit in the AL East could end up becoming a deeper cavern they may not be able to crawl out of.

While it may not remedy their lack of run production, starting José Caballero at shortstop is one change they can make to mitigate the sloppiness. Their one win since Judge spoke came with him at the position, and with Volpe taking a back seat.

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) can't catch a throw from second baseman Jose Caballero (not pictured) on a ground ball by Detroit Tigers shortstop Zach McKinstry (not pictured) allowing Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (not pictured) to advance from first to third base during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another thing they can do is start Alí Sánchez until the picture at catcher becomes clearer at the deadline. Sánchez isn't the answer, but he could solve some issues for right now. Even if he's only posting an 85 wRC+, his defense is good enough, and that level of offense is Johnny Bench in comparison to what Wells has delivered.

Optioning Doval is another change. He is making history for all the wrong reasons these days, and a journeyman like Yovanny Cruz might end up being better. Even if he's a slight improvement, it's still better than what they're getting. It's similar to what's going on with Wells, where quite literally any warm body will do.

As the deadline approaches, they can make more sweeping changes. That could mean dealing Chisholm. There are 12 teams within five games of sneaking into the wild card on top of the six that are already in position to have a postseason spot. The Yankees could deal him to one who has an infield deficiency to plug a position of need.

Jazz Chisholm gets picked off immediately after singling to end the second inning. pic.twitter.com/FvAC2sBSyy

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) July 5, 2026

Chisholm at his best is one of the better second basemen in baseball, but it feels more and more clear that they may have gotten the best version of him last year. That could then mean going with the young George Lombard Jr., or trading for the veteran Luis Arraez, who has improved by leaps and bounds defensively.

All of this would require the Yankees not to be stubborn, though. The fact is, for as many stars as they have on the IL, the organization's biggest weakness is being its own worst enemy. Judge laid the blueprint, but it's not getting through.