would you say Mattingly is a better Yankee than Judge so far in his career?
Its an interesting comparison. They both have an MVP as well as a #2 in MVP voting. Mattingly has 2 other MVP Top 10 finishes while Judge has 1. Mattingly started his career at a bit earlier age and had a 4 year period when he was considered perhaps baseball's best hitter. Unfortunately by age 29 he was deteriorating at the plate - mainly due to his degenerative (apparently genetic) back issue. Note that he was also was an incredible defensive first basemen. Judge has had 3 such core seasons. His batting average is not on par with Mattingly, but his power numbers are superior. Also note that he has been instructed to swing with an uppercut to enhance power - but also likely enhances strikeouts. These types of all or nothing advanced metrics did not exist when Mattingly played. Judge is a very good outfielder - but not among the best in the game.
Right now I go with Mattingly - he would have been a surefire Hall of Famer if not for his back. But I believe Judge has at least 2-3 more core (i.e. Top 10 in MVP voting type years) in him and by the end of his career will surpass Mattingly.
Hard for me to say anyone who is MVP caliber is over-rated.