More Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees talk; no thanks
Giancarlo Stanton, the 2017 NL MVP with a full no-trade clause, has accepted the possibility of a trade to the New York Yankees.
Let’s think about it for a moment before Giancarlo Stanton puts on a Yankees hat and goes and gets himself an apartment in the city.
The man is an absolute beast. The leader of the home run race this past season with 59, Stanton slashed .281/.631/1.007.
Equally impressive is his .988 fielding percentage, committing only four errors in 1312 1/3 innings.
Unfortunately, Stanton is also frequently injured. 2017 was his most productive year since his 2012 major league debut, appearing in 159 games.
However, before that, his career-low came in 2015, appearing in just 74 games; his previous high was in 2014 — 145.
Then in 2016, Stanton finished the season on the DL — the third such season in a row. His injury history is indeed a concern.
Then there is the contract — the biggest drawback to even considering Stanton. The man is signed by the Marlins through 2027 with a $10 million buy-out for 2028. That puts him at age 38 if the buyout is declined.
Stanton is owed $253 million from now through the completion of his contract, without the $10 million buy-out.
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Another big issue is that Marlins owner Derek Jeter will want more for Stanton than just a salary dump.
And with Gary Denbo now in his organization, Jeter is acutely aware of the Yankees’ prospects who are excelling in the minor leagues.
Who exactly would Jeter want for one of the best players in the game? It wouldn’t come cheap. Ready to give up on No. 1 overall prospect Gleyber Torres? The price could be that high.
The Yankees as they are built now, came one game away from the World Series. Would Stanton push them over the top? Possibly. Would the cost be high? Absolutely.
Brian Cashman has built this club through smart, low-cost trades (remember Shane Greene for Didi Gregorius?) and even better scouting and building from within.
Go ahead, add a great player from the outside, but the price has to be RIGHT. Stanton would just be too expensive, and he’s injury prone — bottom line.
Yes, the Yankees are overdue for a ring in their terms. But they can’t mortgage the future for instant gratification with Stanton.
Remember the back-end of A-Rod’s contract? Cashman learned THAT lesson. And if they are going to pay anything like that ever again, let it be for an ace that makes their pitching staff feared.
Thanks for considering coming to the Bronx, Giancarlo, but hard pass. Good luck to you!
Next: Offseason transactions the Yanks should make
Relax, Yankees fans! Things are bright in the Bronx for years to come without an albatross contract hanging over the progression! Well, besides from Jacoby Ellsbury’s.