After a career-worst year last season, Giancarlo Stanton seems to be back on track in 2024. However, things aren’t as great as they seem. Yes, Stanton has mashed 13 homers so far this season, but that doesn’t dispel perhaps one of the worst contracts in Major League Baseball. The Yankees must answer some vital questions concerning their full-time designated hitter.
The Giancarlo Stanton Paradox
What’s Left on Stanton’s Contract?
Stanton is under team control through 2027, meaning he has three seasons left after 2024. From 2024-25, Stanton is owed a monstrous $64 million, with another $34 million over the final two years (26′-27′). Thankfully for the Yankees, they are “off the hook” for those last two years thanks to the Marlins, who are paying the remainder of Stanton’s salary.
The question, however, is not if the Yankees will cut Stanton before the end of his deal. It is simply a matter of when. It will likely be after Hal Steinbrenner has seen enough mediocre play from one of the Yankees’ biggest liabilities.
But Stanton’s play has not been mediocre this season. Sure, he is by no means playing at an All-Star level. But what matters for Stanton is that he is consistently doing what he does best: putting the ball out of the park. Unfortunately for the Yankees, his on-field play adds to their off-field dilemma.
Will Stanton See Consistent Playing Time?
The answer is, well, maybe. If he keeps hitting home runs the way he has, Aaron Boone and Co. have no choice but to let him play. After all, paying a guy $32 million to sit on the bench would be a huge financial waste. But if Stanton struggles, the Yankees might just bite the bullet and sit him (especially if Jasson Dominguez returns and plays well).
Giancarlo Stanton in 2024:
115 OPS+
.764 OPS
9 HRs
22 RBIsIf the Yankees get this level of production from Stanton all year, the lineup is gonna be a nightmare for opposing pitcherspic.twitter.com/qxQKz62mO9
— Mike Salvatore (@MikeSalvatore10) May 16, 2024
The man has a .235/.283/.497 slash line, which is by no means terrible but is horrendous considering how much money is being put into the guy behind those numbers. It might be a little different if Stanton could still play defense and run the bases. But he has had seven lower-body injuries since coming to New York, so the guy who used to be close to a five-tool player is certainly not coming back.
Many factors go into why a player gets put into the lineup. For Stanton, however, the undeniable number one factor is money. If he keeps up his current production level, he could remain a viable asset to one of baseball’s best lineups.
The Last Word
These next few years are key to his future in the Bronx. The Yankees have already mentioned cutting down on players’ salaries, so that only narrows the Yankees’ options. But whether they like it or not, 2024 is the year, and Giancarlo Stanton is along for the ride.
Main Photo Credits: David Frerker-USA TODAY Sports
