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Here’s why Giancarlo Stanton’s contract isn’t as bad as we thought for Yankees

ByThomas Carannante|
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run to center field against Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals during the first inning in the game at Nationals Park on July 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run to center field against Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals during the first inning in the game at Nationals Park on July 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Yankees are getting $30 million to help pay off Giancarlo Stanton’s deal from 2026-2028.

Though it was reported during the season that Giancarlo Stanton would not be opting out of his contract with the New York Yankees, it hadn’t become official until the weekend when he finally had to make the decision when free agency began.

With Stanton’s decision to opt in, the Yankees are now on the hook for $218 million over the next seven years. And he has a team option in the final year of his deal for $25 million (his $10 million buyout for that option is included in that $218 million total).

However, many have forgotten that the Marlins are paying a portion of Stanton’s contract as per the agreement back when the two teams executed the blockbuster trade prior to the 2018 season. And with that subsidy, it’s actually not as bad of a deal as you might think.

"“But all the reasons the Yankees would want to move him make him hard to trade: He is injury-prone, has been reduced to mainly a DH and is owed $218 million the next seven years ($188 million by the Yankees; the Marlins are paying the other $30 million from 2026-28),” writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. “So the Yankees would have to make a trade attractive to suitors. They should try. Stanton hurts roster flexibility in the short term and financial maneuverability in the long term.”"

Look, it’s still not great. Seven years and $188 million equates to $26.85 million per season. However, that’s better than $31.14 million per season, right? And on top of that, the Marlins will be paying that $30 million in $10 million installments from 2026-2028, which means Stanton’s annual salary will be as follows:

  • 2026: $19 million
  • 2027: $15 million
  • 2028: $10 million team option paid for ($15 million if they pick up team option)

So for all of us sitting there claiming Stanton’s contract was going to significantly hinder the Yankees’ future spending during his age-36-38 seasons, we were somewhat wrong. That price, while not exactly team-friendly, is not financially crippling.

Yes, it’s a shame Stanton is pretty much untradeable and has essentially become a permanent DH, leaving manager Aaron Boone with hardly any lineup flexibility. But perhaps if he’s only playing offense, Stanton’s health will (hopefully) be preserved and the Yankees can get decent years out of him in his mid-to-late 30s.

We’re not banking on that at all, but it’s not out of the question.

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