Aaron Judge: Yankees 'Definitely Coming in Hungry' After 2024 World Series Loss

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge expects that he and his teammates will use the disappointment of losing the 2024 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers as motivation for the 2025 season.

When asked about the Yankees' mindset as camp begins, Judge told reporters that he feels the team is "definitely coming in hungry, if not hungrier, than years past."

Judge was named American League MVP for the second time in the last three years for his stellar 2024 season in which he hit .322 with league highs of 58 home runs and 144 RBI. However, he put forth a disappointing performance in the postseason, hitting just .184 with three homers and nine RBI. He went hitless in two out of the five World Series games against the Dodgers before the Yankees lost the series 4-1.

This year's group will look quite different for New York. After losing star outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, the Yankees pivoted by adding a slew of new faces like outfielder Cody Bellinger, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, starting pitcher Max Fried and closer Devin Williams. Judge said it's "going to be exciting" to see how all the new pieces come together this season:

It won't be an easy path for the Yankees to try to get back to the World Series in 2025, as multiple teams across the AL like the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians have retooled to challenge them for their mantle.

Still, it sounds like Judge is confident that the Yankees are bringing the right mindset to camp as they gear up for spring training.