Evil Empire Sports Podcast Evil Empire Sports

The New York Yankees get their man by signing Aaron Judge, but he was someone they really had all along. Is the team really better?

The 2022 New York Yankees' season is ended in the ALCS at the hands of the Houston Astros. Swept out of their fifth straight losing AL pennant series, the Yankees have their months-long weaknesses to stare at and second guess. In this game, the hindsight won't help them hoist the hardware and hang another championship banner.

Through the highest of highs and lowest of lows, the New York Yankees are the AL East champions, putting all doubts aside and rolling into the first true series of the postseason in the Bronx. Aaron Judge is able to achieve a historic feat, but is it THE most historic feat? Also, can Aaron Boone lead this team deep in the playoffs, and were the Blue Jays pitchers merely cowards?

The Yankees are starting to change their luck by beating up on the Red Sox and the Rays, but will not have such easy opponents in the playoffs. Without a chance to address their roster outside of the organization, and a mixed bag of opportunity and results from the minor leagues, can the Yankees protect their weaknesses to prevent being ousted early from the playoffs yet again, and ending a once-promising season with a whimper?

The New York Yankees continue to play uninspired baseball since before Independence Day. The same players that propelled the team to a double-digit division lead are mostly the ones contributing to them challenging the Tigers, Diamondbacks, and Pirates for the lead of offensive ineptitude. Fans look longingly-- not for Joe DiMaggio-- but for Joey Gallo? And the coaching staff doesn't believe their own lies.

The New York Yankees are limping out of an underwhelming trade deadline, staying flat after the All Star break. It seems that Aaron Judge is the only "All Star" that made his way back from the game, and injuries continue to nag or nail some key contributors. Are the Yankees turning into a pumpkin at midnight?