As the 2028 Olympics are slated to take place in Los Angeles, baseball is making its return to the international stage.
It remains uncertain whether Major League Baseball will permit its players to participate in the event, a decision that may not be finalized until the new CBA is negotiated in 2026.
Despite the uncertainties, the prospect of forming a Team USA for the Olympics is always an exciting concept. While the World Baseball Classic offers a glimpse into this, the Olympics present a unique opportunity.
In a projection of potential starters for Team USA in 2028, CBS Sports’ Dayne Perry included Aaron Judge, the standout player and captain of the New York Yankees, even though he will be 36 years old by then.
“Since turning 30 on April 26, 2022, Aaron Judge has maintained an OPS above 1.100 and has hit 137 home runs in 363 games,” Perry noted. “His performance has only improved with time, showing no signs of decline. It’s safe to assume he will continue to be a force in the game by the time the Olympics arrive in L.A.”
Judge’s exceptional statistics make him an exceptional player, making it unwise to underestimate the likely 2024 American League MVP. His continuous improvement suggests that he could still be among the league’s elite in the following years.
Expressing his interest in representing the United States in the Olympics, Judge stated, “I’d love to play. If they give us the opportunity — I don’t know what the ruling is or if anything has come out about that. But I’m all in on that.”
While Judge is the sole representative from the Yankees on the projected team, there is a possibility that Gerrit Cole could also make the roster. However, at 37 years old, his performance level remains uncertain.
The Yankees’ lineup is expected to undergo significant changes in the coming years. Still, with Aaron Judge leading the way, it’s highly likely that the captain will be part of the Olympic team if MLB allows it.
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