November 26, 2023
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David, one of our loyal readers shared the following idea with us the other day:
Have you considered a weekly "open comments" section? Comments would have to be Yankees related, everyone must be civil, no belittling someone else's ideas, and no personal attacks or political talk.
This might inspire some interesting, lively, discussion. You could get the ball rolling by throwing out very general, open ended questions like: What should the Yankees do about Third Base? or Cashman and Hal aside, what is the biggest challenge facing the 2024 Yankees? or What should the Yankees do about Stanton? I would bet that you get a considerable number of comments, and perhaps some outside the box creative suggestions.
I think this is a great idea, and, as such, we'll try it out today with one of the suggested topics from David himself.
What should the Yankees do about Giancarlo Stanton?
Share you thoughts below!
A reader named Bill sent this to the SSTN E-mail page:
"Related to Stanton, have him move a little closer to the plate and bend his knees a little bit. He seems to be so rigid. Also, try to get him healthy and he should do more stretching."
Stanton's no-trade clause makes a trade highly unlikely regardless of finding another bad contract trade partner. He's proven he'll use it in rejecting trades (to Cards & Giants if memory serves) so the options are really limited. If he's part of a deal it's likely a case of moving some $ & being cut immediately at the other end - same as cutting him really. Just seems highly unlikely to me as either way the Yanks eat a pile of money that they've been unwilling (at these levels anyway) in the past. I figure we're stuck with him 2 more years regardless of what may seem logical in terms of building a championship calibre roster.
You need to find a trading partner looking to get rid of a bad contract and take on a bad contract that for the most part will be eaten by the Yankees. Both sides will bank on improvement due to a change of scenery. Picking up a bad pitcher will take up a roster spot but not clog up an outfield/dh position.
To fully answer that question, you have to deal with the restrictions that are presented by the question. Stanton's massive remaining salary, his inability to play the field, his proclivity to injury, and his possible decline as a hitter are the restrictions and factors that must be considered.. All of these factors when taken together prevent any possible trade unless Hal eats a massive portion of his futre salary or gives away the farm system , plus less money to find a willing trade partner. Both are extremely doubtful. If he can not be traded or released then it becomes a simple economic choice. The cost and benefit of Stanton occupying a roster spot and being used strictly as a…
With only 26 spots on the active roster, and half of them taken by pitchers, there is not a lot of room for a one dimensional, unproductive player if you want to win.
Trade for Soto AND Luis Robert, then sign Bellinger. (Not realistic, but it is nice to dream)
An outfield of Judge, Soto, Robert, Bellinger, and Dominguez (when he returns), could rotate through the DH slot, which would help keep everyone fresh, as well as keep their productive bats in the lineup. Everyone except Soto can play center if necessary, so it would be quite easy to orchestrate. You would have no longer have a use for Stanton, so just throw him in on the Soto deal. Yankee…