Yankees trade for Giancarlo Stanton brings odd response from Bill Madden

The Yankees have added the reigning National League MVP to their roster. While this might seem like purely positive news even to the neutral observer, it made writers such as Tyler Kepner, Bill Madden, Keith Law and Bob Nightengale just feel tired all over.

The 2017 New York Yankees shocked the baseball world in October, getting all the way to game seven of the ALCS. As much as the loss was tough on fans, neutral observers saw the season as a mostly positive one, filled with promise. Articles imbued with optimism followed.

The 2017 New York Yankees shocked the baseball world in December. They showed that last season’s promise will be rewarded with reinforcements.

In this case, it means trying to add Giancarlo Stanton. Not only is Stanton a four-time All-Star, but also the reigning National League MVP. And he’s just 28. Sadly, the Yanks will have to surrender Starlin Castro, but a team has to give to get.

As much as the loss will be tough on fans, neutral observers see this move as a mostly positive one, filled with promise. Articles imbued with optimism have followed.

Well, sorta.

Yes, Virginia, adding the NL MVP is a Positive Move

The trade seems like a slam dunk win for the Yankees. First, their offense gets markedly better. Next, they are trading from a position of their greatest organizational depth. Third, they have to trade someone from the infield to make room for Gleyber Torres, anyway.

Also, any research on the numbers shows the Yankees can take on Stanton’s salary and still get under the luxury tax, with room to make more moves. Finally, Stanton’s contract is not only less than those that will be handed out next season to players such as Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, but also the remaining portion is less than what A-Rod was getting.

Of course, there are potential problems, but, isn’t that always true; Tanaka’s elbow, I’m looking at you. And I am a real, big time, Yankees fan, and am open to completely fair accusations of bias on this topic. However, it seems that from an objective standpoint, the potential signing should be seen as overwhelmingly positive.

Not so for some, though. Some neutral observers and reporters have taken this news as without question bad for the Yankees and it those reactions that seem so interesting.

Before I move on, I have to make something clear. These writers I am about to poke fun at are far better at their craft than I. And while I could list myriad ways each one of them is superior to me, I will keep it simple: They’re good enough to get paid to write about the Yankees, while I’m just barely good enough to write.

However, as we must always speak truth to power, here is a response to some of the odd and often dour responses to the Yankees big deal.