Where does Aaron Judge want to bat in the New York Yankees lineup in 2024?
It's a question that has been on the minds of fans—and even the man writing the lineup cards himself, Yankees manager Aaron Boone—ever since the club completed the blockbuster trade for slugger Juan Soto earlier this offseason.
Well, Boone asked Judge that very question in a lighthearted moment during the Yankees star's ALL RISE Foundation Gala on Thursday night. Judge, laughing good-naturedly, said that as long as Boone "keeps the top three" of the batting order as DJ LeMahieu, Soto and himself, that the club will be just fine.
Here's the moment, shared by MLB's account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Aaron Judge has seen your suggestions for the new-look @Yankees lineup.
— MLB (@MLB) January 27, 2024
He's got his own plans ???? pic.twitter.com/pEFZBg9M6K
Boone had indicated that he would likely bat Soto second and Judge third during an appearance on the Foul Territory podcast earlier this month, a decision that would line right up with the Yankee captain's ideal lineup.
"Right now probably Juan in the 2-hole, and Judgie third"@AaronBoone discusses the Yankees potential batting order as the team begins to head to camp.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 19, 2024
▶️ https://t.co/xweRLeDa47 pic.twitter.com/B2mqeXHGI2
Judge has mostly hit second for New York, while Soto has indicated in the past that he prefers to hit third. However, Judge doesn't seem too worried about the order, and Soto indicated he would do whatever the Yankees need of him during his introductory press conference.
In other words, it's just like Judge said, as long as the top three is some combination of LeMahieu, Soto and himself, New York will be in good shape.
