The New York Yankees got back into the postseason in 2024 after missing the playoffs in 2023, as they finished with a record of 94-68 and won the American League East.
Although the Yankees had a successful season and made their first World Series appearance since 2009, they lost superstar outfielder Juan Soto in the offseason when he signed with the New York Mets as a free agent.
Though losing Soto is not the ideal situation for the Yankees, they still have reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge in their lineup.
Judge revealed his preference on where he wants to hit in the order now that Soto is gone.
“I’d love to hit third again,” Judge said, via YES Network.
Aaron Judge on his place in the lineup for the 2025 season: I'm excited. We'll see what happens, but I really don't care where I hit. pic.twitter.com/OQtoJTEjtN
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 17, 2025
Judge has played all nine seasons of his MLB career for the Yankees.
In 2024, he won his second AL MVP award, playing 158 games and batting .322 with 58 home runs, 144 RBIs and a 1.159 OPS.
Judge had career highs in WAR, RBIs, walks, slugging percentage, OBP and OPS in the 2024 season as teammates with Soto.
The Yankees lineup will look different without Soto in it, but they did acquire outfielder Cody Bellinger and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the offseason to try to make up for some of Soto’s production.
Judge said he would prefer to bat third, but it ultimately doesn’t matter to him where he is in the lineup as long as it gives the Yankees the best chance to win.
NEXT: Aaron Judge Reveals His Thoughts On Max Fried