The Yankees seem to have found their rhythm again after stumbling badly earlier this month, when they dropped seven of nine games. They’ve now turned things around with six wins in their last seven, including a four-game streak. That puts them back on top in the AL wild-card race. However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. On Tuesday, a fresh controversy emerged inside the organization when manager Aaron Boone and captain Aaron Judge gave conflicting comments about the health of Judge’s arm, which recently kept him on the injured list.

“I don’t think we’ll see him throw again like he normally does at any point this year,” Boone said on Tuesday. And guess what, these comments only added to the concern surrounding the Yankees’ captain. But Aaron Judge took no time in countering, “I don’t know why he said that. He hasn’t seen me throw in the past two weeks, so I’m confident I’ll be back to 100%.”

Boone’s comment surely didn’t sit well with Judge. As per MLB insider Jon Heyman, Boone might have rubbed the wrong nose in the Yankees front office, also. “Neither Judge nor the front office was pleased Boone made his negative public pronouncement, forcing him to backtrack.” Heyman shared in his article in the New York Post.

Well, 2025 hasn’t exactly been Boone’s year. For the first time in franchise history, the Yankees were swept by the Marlins. Then they’ve slipped off the AL East podium to the Blue Jays, and now there’s friction with the team captain. Boone is in his eighth season managing the Yankees without a World Series title to show for it, and Judge, too, is still chasing his first ring. But the difference is Judge’s production keeps his value intact.

For context, back in mid-June, Judge was in a bit of a slump, going just 3-for-24 with 15 SOs over seven games. And in proportion, the Yankees as a team hit a dreadful .164/.227/.215 across six games that time. So, simply put, when Aaron Judge isn’t carrying the offense, no one else is stepping up. And that’s why Judge remains indispensable.

Boone, on the other hand, hasn’t been as bulletproof. Alex Rodriguez has publicly blasted the clubhouse, asking, “Where’s the accountability?” Now, his recent gaffe with Aaron Judge only gives the front office more reason to be frustrated with Boone.

Aaron Judge is irreplaceable in the outfield

Aaron Judge’s offensive numbers really speak for themselves. Even with the injury and a 10-day layoff, he still leads all of baseball in batting average (.329), on-base percentage (.443), and slugging percentage (.681). Moreover, he’s the runaway favorite for AL MVP, sitting at -6000 on DraftKings. But Judge’s value to the Yankees goes well beyond his bat.

According to Baseball Savant, his Fielding Run Value ranks in the 81st percentile, while his arm strength and range are even better, at 91st and 89th percentiles. Also, compared to last season, when he covered every outfield spot, Judge has actually been more effective in right field this year. His Outs Above Average sits at a 90% success rate, an improvement over the 88% he posted as a center fielder in 2024.

That kind of impact makes Judge far too valuable for the Yankees, which is probably why Boone’s hesitation to bring him back in the outfield likely didn’t sit well with the front office, especially with Judge himself insisting he’s ready. Now, all eyes are on how this tension plays out between Boone and Yankees leadership.