Aaron Judge Leads Yankees After 2024 WS Loss

Aaron Judge has powered the New York Yankees to the top of the AL East during the 2025 MLB season, recently earning his second straight AL Player of the Month award for May with a .364 average, 11 home runs, and a 1.251 OPS. Judge, who re-signed with the Yankees on a nine-year, $360 million deal despite offers from the Padres and Giants, remains pleased with his decision, noting he might have faced similar boos as Juan Soto if he had gone elsewhere. His on-field contributions have already surpassed his salary in value this year, reinforcing his status as one of MLB’s most valuable players. Judge credits the pressure and expectations in New York as a motivating factor and frequently expresses pride in playing for the Yankees. The Yankees are again strong championship contenders after losing the 2024 World Series to the Dodgers, with Judge’s leadership and performance central to their success. His consistency and record-setting achievements continue to shape his legacy and the team's title ambitions.