Here’s why Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees works

Stanton works in the lineup

During their recent postseason run, starting pitching and the bullpen kept the Yankees afloat — propelling the club to Game 7 of the ALCS. However, the offense was its typical all-or-nothing self.

This transaction solves much of that issue because the presence of Stanton will alleviate pressure on the other eight hitters in the lineup. Opposing pitchers can’t work around the heart of the lineup three or four times a game.

Whether manager Aaron Boone decides to bat last year’s cleanup hitter, Didi Gregorius, second or eighth, most likely won’t be decided until camp. But either way, having a player who is coming off a 25 homer, 87 RBI campaign fill a non-traditional RBI slot, is absolutely huge.

The Yankees now possess the most feared right-handed heavy lineup in the majors. By adding Stanton to a list that includes Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and the left-handed slugging Gregorius, the Yanks would have combined to hit 169 long balls in 2017. As a team last season, the Red Sox hit 168. Stew on that, Bill Simmons.

Now plug-in a healthy Greg Bird, some combination of Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks in leftfield/DH, Gleyber Torres at second base and Chase Headley at third base (until Miguel Andujar is ready), and well, it’s possible we see 250+ home runs hit by the Bombers in 2018.