Aaron Judge on Mookie Betts’ move to shortstop: ‘selfless’

TAMPA — Much has been made of Aaron Judge’s willingness to move to center field this spring, as well as in the past, to give the Yankees more flexibility in the outfield. 

But that doesn’t quite compare to the move that another former American League MVP is making in Los Angeles, where Mookie Betts has become the Dodgers’ new starting shortstop.

“It’s remarkable,’’ Judge said Saturday of Betts’ decision, which was made after the previous starter, Gavin Lux, was struggling at the position.

Aaron Judge will be moving to center field for the Yankees.AP

“He’s got five or six Gold Gloves in the outfield, which is impressive and usually you keep those guys in that position when they are that good,’’ Judge said before working out at Steinbrenner Field. “The selflessness of him to go out there and try to help the team by moving to the infield and then not just that, but now moving to shortstop, speaks volumes to what kind of athlete he is and what kind of teammate he is.”

Like Judge, the 31-year-old Betts is in the prime of his career and playing for a team with sky-high expectations.

In addition to the AL MVP Betts won in 2018 with the Red Sox, he also finished second in the AL MVP once, as well as twice in the NL MVP voting as a Dodger — including last season.

Betts came up primarily as a second baseman before moving to the outfield with Boston.

“I’ve seen him play the infield and he’s got great skills, he’s got great hands, he has great movement,’’ Judge said. “I know he came up as a second baseman with the Red Sox, but they said ‘We’ve got this guy Dustin Pedroia, so you’d better learn a new position.’ So I’m excited to see what he does.”

And Judge understands the scrutiny Betts will face.

“It’s always tough when your team is in the position to fight for a World Series and you have a great team that signed two more great players [Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto], but I think it’s gonna help them and open up spots in the outfield. It makes them so diverse.”

The Yankees are hoping for similar results from Judge being in center again, which will allow newcomers Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo to be in the corner outfield spots.

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.AP

“That conversation [about moving to center] started in ’21 and if that helps free us up and keep guys in the lineup, then I’ll play wherever they need me,’’ Judge said.

That’s something Judge believes he has in common with Betts.

“It just comes down to being a ballplayer,’’ Judge said. “Mookie’s not just an outfielder. He’s a ballplayer. He’ll go out there and do whatever job you need him to do. I try to do the same thing to put us in the best position to win a game, if it’s right, center or left.”

Unlike Betts, though, Judge draws the line at filling in at shortstop if Anthony Volpe needs a break.

“I guess I could play a little short, but I don’t have the speed, hands or quickness, so that might not be a good idea,’’ Judge said with a laugh.

Related Posts

Golden Bachelor Winner Peg Munson Says YES to DWTS Season 35, Fans Excited to See Her Dance With Heart, While Insiders Tease Sparks Behind the Scenes With Mel Owens

For the first time in years, DWTS did not include a contestant from Bachelor Nation on the current season. Former Bachelor star Joey Graziadei took home the…

“We Need Your Prayers”… Heartbroken Karen Barber breaks down in tears as she reveals husband Christopher Dean’s devastating diagnosis… figure skating legend now facing the biggest battle of his life — just 30 minutes after their emotional livestream leaves fans around the world in sh-ock…

The ice skating world froze in collective heartbreak this afternoon as Karen Barber, the poised former Olympian and *Dancing on Ice* coach, shattered her composure in a…

Katie Piper’s Triumph: 17 Years After Acid Attack, She Stuns the World in a Blue Bikini

Seventeen years after a brutal acid attack left her blind in one eye and scarred across her face, neck, chest, and arms — and following more than 250…

Charlie Dimmock FINALLY breaks her silence after cruel backlash — and reveals the truth about her transformation!

‘IT WAS SO UNFAIR’: Garden Rescue Favourite Charlie Dimmock Opens Up About Backlash To Her Transformation Charlie Dimmock has blasted criticism about her weight (pictured 2007) (Image: Getty)…

“I’m the One Who Fired You” — CEO Confesses to the Homeless Single Mom He Saved

They say money can buy anything. But standing in that rain holding a dying woman and a child who believed in me, I learned the price of…

After ‘The Worst News’: Gary Numan’s Mid-Show Breakdown Leaves Fans Stunned as the Music Legend Halts His Concert Without Warning

The 67-year-old is reported to have started weeping while performing Please Push No More at the O2 Academy Birmingham on Saturday evening. The singer’s wife Gemma is…