Aaron Judge to Return to Right Field for 2025 Season

Reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge is set to move back to his longtime position in right field for the 2025 season, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Although Judge played almost exclusively in center field during the 2024 season to accommodate Juan Soto, Soto's departure to the New York Mets on a record-breaking deal has paved the way for Judge to return to his familiar spot.


"We're not afraid to run [Judge] out in center like we've done, but I think it makes sense to have him over in right," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Monday, as relayed by Hoch. Cashman suggested that moving Judge back to right field opens up a "clear lane" for top outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez to compete for the starting center field job in Spring Training. However, Cashman also noted that he isn't ready to officially name the 21-year-old as the club's starter for the next season.


If the Yankees decide to send Dominguez back to Triple-A, where he has performed well but has only 53 total games under his belt, they still have several options to keep Judge in right field. One internal solution is Trent Grisham, who the club avoided arbitration with last month by agreeing to a $5 million contract. Although Grisham was primarily used as a bench player after being acquired from the Padres alongside Soto last winter, he has the experience to fill in at center field when needed.


The 28-year-old Grisham appeared in 76 games last year, often as a late-inning defensive replacement or to give Judge a break when he was designated hitter. Despite receiving just 209 plate appearances last season, Grisham was an everyday player for the Padres in the previous four seasons, showcasing his capability to step up if required.