Giancarlo Stanton’s $22 million contract for the New York Yankees is, without question, one of the absolute worst deals in all of Major League Baseball. That’s not just some hot take, that’s what Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter said, and honestly, when you look at the facts, how can you even argue with it? This guy is supposed to be a cornerstone, a five-time All-Star, but the truth is, the Yankees can never, ever bank on him playing more than 100 games a season. And this year? Forget about it.
The Injury Bug Just Won’t Quit
Let’s just be real for a second: Stanton is rarely healthy. His injury list is longer than a coffee line on a Monday morning, and it just keeps piling up year after year. For 2026, he isn’t even going to come remotely close to 100 regular-season games played. We’re talking multiple calf strains that have kept him off the field since April, a brutal blow that has just sidelined him for what feels like forever. He won’t even surpass his 77 appearances from 2025, which, let’s be honest, wasn’t exactly a full season to begin with. Reuter spelled it out perfectly: “He has not played since April 24 after suffering a calf strain and then a setback in his recovery in June.” That second hit in June? Just gut-wrenching. He’s been trying to get back, “resumed running and taking batting practice,” looking toward that “stretch run,” but Reuter nailed it, “thus far he has done little to earn his salary.” You gotta earn that paycheck, especially at that price tag.
A Massive Overpay for Missing Time
So, you’ve got this guy making $22 million, an astronomical amount of cash, and he’s barely on the field. That’s a massive overpay, plain and simple. Stanton just cannot stay healthy, and it means he’s going to play in way less than half of New York’s games this year. Yeah, we know what he can do when he’s actually healthy, right? He mashed 24 homers with a ridiculous .944 OPS in 281 plate appearances back in 2025. And in the postseason? He’s a monster, hitting 18 dingers in 48 career playoff games. The Yankees offense could absolutely use that kind of thunder, especially as the calendar starts looking toward October. But here’s the kicker: it’s a huge commitment to a player who’s getting older and just cannot consistently be on the field. What good is that impact if it’s sitting on the bench, or worse, in the training room?
The Yankees need a major boost before the real pressure of October hits, and the question everyone’s asking is, can Stanton actually be that guy, or is he just another reminder of a contract that looks worse by the day? We’re heading into the crunch time, the “stretch run” is almost here, and you just have to wonder what kind of player, if any, will be available to help his team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply