Yankees’ Aaron Judge talks big ALDS Game 3 home run vs Blue Jays
After Aaron Judge tagged a massive a game-tying three-run home run, he discussed the effort in the Yankees’ ALDS Game 3 win over the Blue Jays.
NEW YORK – Around the Yankees’ quiet postgame clubhouse, players packed up their personal items and said their goodbyes.
“The expectations I have, and all these guys in the locker room, was to win the World Series. That was our goal,’’ said Paul Goldschmidt, after the Yankees’ season ended Wednesday night.
At that late hour in Yankee Stadium, the Blue Jays celebrated their four-game AL Division Series victory while several Yankees – including Goldschmidt – moved toward free agency, uncertain if they’d return here.
“We came up short, so unfortunately that will be the thing that sticks with us the most,’’ said Goldschmidt, dealing with the suddenness of the season’s ending and not much else.
“You look back throughout the year and there’s good memories and good things that happened, but ultimately the reason we’re here was to win, and we didn’t do that.’’
Ranking the Yankees’ potential free agentsCody Bellinger
A Scott Boras client, Bellinger holds a $25 million player option for 2026 that he is expected to decline, sending the lefty-hitting outfielder and first baseman into free agency for the third time, with more leverage than ever.
Late Wednesday, Bellinger said he’d “absolutely’’ be open to a return in pinstripes.
“I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform,’’ said Bellinger, 30, with praise for the fans, the organization and “the culture that these guys have created in this locker room.
“It really is special,’’ said Bellinger. “(We) came up short and that part stinks, because we had a really, really good group here.’’
Bottom line: Bellinger should be the Yankees’ top priority among their own free agents to re-sign. That would require a multi-year contract, possibly in the $30 million annual range.
His middle-of-the-order presence, baseball IQ and versatile plus-defense – along with a built-for-pinstripes persona – makes him an essential winter target.
Trent Grisham
Late Wednesday night, Aaron Boone said he hoped to manage Bellinger and Grisham with the Yankees in 2026.
“They’re a big reason why I was so excited about this club down the stretch and at this point,’’ said Boone, calling them “driving forces for our team’’ and praising “what they brought to the table as teammates every single day.’’
Grisham, 29, became an added gem from the Juan Soto trade, with his plus-defense in center field, 34 homers and .811 OPS in 143 games during his free agent walk year.
Bottom line: Did a sour postseason (4-for-29, 10 Ks, zero RBI) and Jasson Dominguez’s presence, change any thoughts on the lefty-hitting Grisham’s pinstriped future?
Grisham set himself up for multi-year offers, but the Yankees could over-extend for 2026 by granting a qualifying offer (reportedly around $22 million) and seeing if that one-year guarantee is enticing enough.
Devin Williams
Despite a very rocky start to his first pinstriped season, losing the closer’s role after being an All-Star in Milwaukee, Williams thought he had an overall “solid’’ season.
“At first it was a challenge, but I’ve grown to love being here. I love the city…I really enjoyed my experience,’’ said Williams, who is “definitely open’’ to a return.
Williams also had to adjust to a setup role, where he found more success. But as he enters free agency for the first time, at age 31, being a closer is “a factor” but it also “depends on the scenario.”
Bottom line: Current Yankees closer David Bednar is under team control through 2026 and it’s not recent Yankees’ strategy to spend lavishly on relief pitching.
Based on Williams’ $8.6 million 2025 salary, his 2026 contract would exceed Bednar’s and the Yankees were far likelier, regardless, to move on from Williams than seek a reunion.
Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt just turned 38 and he’ll appear on a Hall of Fame ballot five years after he retires from baseball.
As for his immediate future, “I think I’d like to continue playing,” said the right-handed hitting first baseman, signed to a one-year, $12.5 million free agent contract last winter.
“I still have fun out there. I still want to go win. I love to compete. So, we’ll see what happens, but thankful for my time here.”
Bottom line: Restricted to starts against lefty pitching (but still a solid defender, with off-the-chart leadership quality), the veteran’s market could be limited.
The Yankees’ focus should be on improving Ben Rice’s defense and making him their regular first baseman. Goldschmidt’s return in a backup role isn’t out of the question, but it’s not a priority.
Luke Weaver
Coming off a terrific 2024 season, taking over the closer’s role that September, it was an easy call to trigger Weaver’s base $2.5 million option for 2025.
At age 32, Weaver now enters free agency coming off a rough September (9.64 ERA in 12 games) and a brutal postseason, failing to retire a batter in his first two postseason appearances and experiencing a crisis of confidence.
Bottom line: Despite any damage to his free-agent leverage, the right-hander could still have a varied market as a closer, setup reliever or even as a starter. The Yankees know him best, but it doesn’t seem likely that their interest would go beyond another one-year offer.
Other potential Yankees free agents
Valuable lefty reliever Tim Hill’s contract contains a $3 million club option for 2026, with a $350,000 buyout. As the lone setup lefty in Boone’s postseason bullpen, there’s value in a reunion at that price.
Amed Rosario is a versatile infielder and a valuable right-handed bat against lefties, but strictly a role player and not a high priority, but he’s always been on the Yankees’ radar and earned points during his brief stint in pinstripes.
Jonathan Loaisiga suffered a season-ending flexor strain. The Yankees hold a $5 million option for 2026, and they’ve always loved the arm, but the right-hander’s lengthy injury history could lead them to move on, or to pursue an incentive-laden deal.
Lefty Ryan Yarbrough is serviceable as relief or starting depth but was left off the Yanks’ playoff roster, as was right-handed hitting outfielder Austin Slater, acquired at the trade deadline.