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3 Aaron Judge replacements the Yankees should already have an eye on

By Tim Boyle

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 16: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees warms up during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 16, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 16: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees warms up during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 16, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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New York Yankees, Aaron Judge replacements
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 17: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the American League and Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and the American League take the field in the sixth inning against the National League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

The New York Yankees should already start keeping tabs on these three players who can maybe help to replace Aaron Judge or at least a few of the things he offers them.

In terms of replacing Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees will have a hard task. Not too many players in the sport can do what he can on both sides of the ball. In fact, one could argue there is no one who can quite replicate what he does.

Judge’s ability to man center field for the club regularly in 2022 has saved them more than any box score can count. Letting him walk would be a massive mistake.

Still, it has happened to the Yankees and other franchise before. And if he does manage to slip away either by fault of the Yankees or because someone else is willing to pay him a more ridiculous amount, it’s these three potential replacements the Yankees should already have an eye on.

New York Yankees Aaron Judge replacement candidate: Mike Trout

There isn’t a single free agent close to Judge’s ability this offseason so let’s get that out of the way right now. Anyone that could come close to replicating what he brings to the Bronx will come via trade. It starts with Mike Trout.

Trout is already signed to a mega-deal with the Los Angeles Angels, but the team could be looking to shed his salary this offseason. If the Yankees want someone to cover center field for them, hit for power, and be an automatic to enter the MVP race on Opening Day, it’s a huge trade package for Trout that they should look into.

Yankees fans might be a little timid because of his injury history. However, Judge has had his own run-ins with the IL, DL, and whatever else it might be called by the time he retires.

The benefit of trading for Trout is that the Yankees get a guy already under contract with no worry of losing him until the 2030 season. The money remaining on his deal is probably similar to what Judge will seek anyway. Judge would be the preferred choice because it only costs money but Trout would be the closest thing the team could get to replacing him.

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