Navigating the Turbulence of Giancarlo Stanton’s Tenure with the Yankees and Its Undercurrents on Aaron Judge’s Career Trajectory
When the New York Yankees acquired Giancarlo Stanton, they anticipated the powerhouse player from his stellar 2017 performance. However, injuries have gradually slowed Stanton down in subsequent years. In 2018, he managed to play 158 games, but his presence dwindled significantly in the following seasons. The American baseball outfielder only appeared in 18 games in 2019 and 23 out of 60 during the Covid-affected 2020 season. Stanton made a notable comeback in 2021 with 139 games and a 3.1 WAR, yet he struggled to replicate his earlier success with the Marlins. A recent YouTube video featuring Michael Kay delved into the Giancarlo Stanton dilemma. Kay pondered whether Stanton’s postseason heroics justified his hefty price tag and questioned the impact on Aaron Judge, hinting at the potential benefit of reducing Judge’s workload as he ages.
Kay expressed doubts about the trade value of Stanton, emphasizing the need for consistent performance behind Judge to bolster the Yankees’ postseason aspirations. He suggested that while Stanton excels in the playoffs, his regular-season availability remains a concern. Kay opined that the team could explore other options to achieve postseason success, albeit potentially at a lower level than Stanton’s peak performance. Reflecting on the situation, Kay indicated that if given a chance to redo the trade involving Stanton, the Yankees might opt for a different path.
The 2017 Giancarlo Stanton Trade
Amid intense negotiations that extended into the early hours, the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees finalized the historic deal to transfer Giancarlo Stanton, the reigning National League MVP, to the Yankees. In return, Miami received second baseman Starlin Castro, minor league right-hander Jorge Guzman (ranked No. 9 in New York’s system by MLBPipeline.com at the time), and infielder Jose Devers. The trade marked a significant turn of events following the withdrawal of the Giants and Cardinals from the pursuit of the formidable outfielder. Stanton’s refusal to waive his no-trade clause for these teams positioned the Yankees as the sole contender for his services.
As part of the agreement, the Yankees absorbed nearly all of Stanton’s remaining $295 million contract, with only $30 million retained by Miami. This move elevated the Yankees’ payroll for luxury tax purposes, but the incremental increase of $17.43 million compared to Starlin Castro’s salary made the financial burden manageable. Noteworthy connections within the Marlins’ front office, including Derek Jeter serving as the Marlins’ CEO and Gary Denbo previously holding a key role in the Yankees’ player development, facilitated the trade. These relationships played a crucial role in sealing the deal and ushering Stanton to New York, altering the trajectory of both teams significantly.
