"I would trade Bryce Harper and near-MVP guy for Aaron Judge" - Phillies analyst throws shade at Yankees captain's postseason struggles
Discussing the 2024 MVP awards on Friday, one podcaster criticized Aaron Judge for his lack of output in the playoffs during his second AL MVP-winning season with the New York Yankees. Despite putting up career-best numbers in batting average, RBI and OPS, the Yankees slugger went cold in the postseason and couldn't deliver when they needed it most in the World Series.
In a recent episode of PHLY Philadelphia Phillies Podcast, co-host Jamie Lynch threw shade at Judge for his lackluster postseason run. Lynch feels he would rather opt for a near-MVP guy who can deliver in the postseason like Bryce Harper.
Over four games in the NLDS this year, Harper had a .333 average with a home run and 3 RBIs in just 12 at-bats. He has consistently put in big performances in the postseason despite not winning the World Series yet.
"I would trade Bryce Harper and a near-MVP guy for Aaron Judge and a guy that soils his pants every playoffs in a heartbeat." (46:45 onwards)
Since making his major league debut with the New York Yankees in 2016, Aaron Judge has grown into their undisputed leader both on and off the field. In his eight seasons with the Yankees since then, they have made playoff runs seven times, all of which have ended in disappointment.
Judge is undoubtedly one of the best sluggers of his generation, but his failure to step up in the postseason has given many fans and analysts a reason to question his abilities.
Aaron Judge recorded a .322 average with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a 1.159 OPS over the regular season, resulting in a deserved AL MVP win. However, his hot form died out in the postseason, where he recorded a .184 average with only 3 home runs and 9 RBIs in 49 at-bats during their World Series run.
MLB insider believes that Aaron Judge's postseason performance overshadowed his amazing regular season
Over the course of the regular season in the MLB, Aaron Judge built a formidable partnership with Juan Soto to record one of his best seasons in the major leagues. However, he slumped in the postseason when the New York Yankees and MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes that this is what he will be remembered for:
"It is what maybe all fans will remember to some degree... We judge players by how they do in October. That's where they make their mark."
Rosenthal went on to say that he believes that if you give a great player enough chances in the postseason, he will show why he is great, and the same goes for Judge as well.