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Yankees: 3 contracts on payroll holding the team back right now

By Thomas Carannante

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 14: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by teammates Austin Romine #28 and Giancarlo Stanton #27 at the conclusion of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 14: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by teammates Austin Romine #28 and Giancarlo Stanton #27 at the conclusion of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 5-4. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /
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Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

1. Giancarlo Stanton’s 13-year, $325 million deal

The Yankees are stuck with Giancarlo Stanton, whether you think that’s good or bad.

We’re not complaining about having Giancarlo Stanton on the New York Yankees, but there are many issues with the team deciding to acquire him. Where shall we start?

For one, Cashman trading for a redundant hitter that this lineup didn’t necessarily need certainly raised eyebrows. But making that move (at the time) for the largest contract in NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS HISTORY instead of paying for pitching was … even more confusing. Even after the 2017 season, it was evident the Yankees needed more contact hitters. The last thing they needed was another power bat who couldn’t do anything else!

Look, Stanton’s 2018 season with the Yankees was great. His 2020 postseason was otherworldly. But he cannot play the field. He’s a permanent designated hitter, which takes away from manager Aaron Boone’s flexibility when making the lineup each and every day, which now has some people talking about trading Luke Voit or Gio Urshela. Yup, that’s where we are!

Stanton’s 2017 MVP season also somehow masked the constant injury issues he faced during his tenure with the Miami Marlins (he played in 145 games or more in just three of his eight seasons). The Yankees felt that just one year into his stint in the Bronx. Stanton played just 18 games in 2019 and 23 in the shortened 60-game campaign in 2020.

The slugger is also not exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, which means the Yankees are now on the hook for $218 million over the next seven years. He’ll make $29 million, $29 million, $32 million, $32 million, $32 million, $29 million and $25 million between 2021 and 2027 and has a $25 million team option (or $10 million buyout) for 2028. Again, this is for a permanent DH who is not Barry Bonds.

Given the Yankees’ other needs after 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2020, Stanton’s deal is proving to be more of a burden than a contribution, especially when you factor in his countless injuries and untimely strikeouts that characterized his time in pinstripes up until the start of these playoffs.

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