StonesJournal

The New York Yankees have been a revered organization throughout the ranks of baseball, spanning back to the early 1900s. More recently, however, their way of life has been derailed. One player in particular has taken advantage of the Yankees’ modern struggles in the big moment.

Written By: AJ Stone (1/11/26)

The New York Yankees are an organization rooted in success throughout their lengthy history. So much so that fans often find themselves overwhelmed with disappointment when falling short of the ultimate prize, a World Series.

More recently, the Bronx has seen shortcoming after shortcoming amidst the prime of box-office slugger Aaron Judge and an assortment of talent that has orbited around his greatness. To pour salt on the wound, it seems as if the other superstars of the AL East have taken a liking to feasting on the Yankees while they’ve been down. Specifically, one from north of the border. 

Before he left for the West Coast, Rafael Devers was the bane of New York and Gerrit Cole’s existence. The swaggy lefty would hold hit bat head high and bring it down almost always barrel to baseball, producing more short porch homeruns than some players New York has employed themselves. The Yankee faithful rejoiced when Devers departed from Beantown, but another player was quick to assume the role of ‘Joker’ to the Yankees ‘Batman’ (or vice-versa, depending on who you ask). 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has made it his mission to finish what Rafael Devers started. The face of the franchise in Toronto kicked his competitiveness into high gear in 2025 in a season that saw him walk away with 4.6 WAR, an .848 OPS, and another All-Star selection. In addition to all the stats and accolades, Guerrero Jr. enjoyed a campaign that will haunt the Bronx faithful for the rest of time. When answering a question asked by a fan a few years ago, Guerrero Jr. called the Yankees, “The easiest team to play against.” This question followed a 2022 season that saw Toronto go 8-11 against New York, so naturally, fans took exception.

This past season has really added validity to Guerrero Jr.’s Yankee disdain campaign. In terms of career stats, the Dominican slugger has now played 102 games against New York. In those 102 affairs, Guerrero Jr. has a batting average of .302, 117 hits, 22 HRs, 74 RBIs, and 48 runs scored. If Guerrero Jr. played the Yankees 162 times a year, he would be prime Albert Pujols. 

When New York used to command the role of ‘Goliath’ around Major League Baseball, it was fun to watch players play ‘David’. In Guerrero Jr.’s more modern rendition of the act, it seems more like bullying than an underdog story. Not only does the slugger himself bury the Bronx in homeruns and swagger, but the Blue Jays are also coming off a 2025 World Series appearance and look to be in line to win their division. When will the lights turn back on in New York? Are we past the prime of the Yankees organization? Guerrero Jr. sure seems to think so.