Giancarlo Stanton trade rumors are already a thing, because New York

Just a few months ago, New York Yankees’ fans were salivating. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge int he same outfield — on a team that almost went to the World Series last year — was a Bronx throwback to the filthy rich days of the past.

It’s incredible what expectations can do to a team. Less than two weeks into the season, Yankees fans are already mashing the panic button and calling for a struggling Stanton to be traded.

Since clobbering two home runs on Opening Day, Stanton has been in a funk. To put it honestly, he’s put fear into the hearts and minds of Yankees fans.

It’s WAY too soon

There’s no reason that fans should be talking about trading Stanton in any way, shape or form. Even with his 22 strikeouts in 46 at-bats, there’s is still plenty of time for him to turn it around. Across the way, the Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ knows the feeling. With 18 strikeouts in 32 at-bats, the fans are trying to chase him out of the leadoff spot and down to Triple-A Iowa. Again, expectations can cripple a team. Stanton is the first player in the live ball era to have two games with no hits and five strikeouts. Ouch.

The Yankees are prone to expectations. It’s hard not to when you’re the Yankees. The fans can be upset. Heck, they can even be frustrated by his performance. But the simple fact is we are just 11 games into the season? Had he started hot and then cooled off, would it be the same? Probably not. But this is the way he started the year. So he’ll still have to face up to the music.

He’ll push through it

“Yeah, that’s OK, I’ll be all right,’’ Stanton said softly at his locker, watching the room empty. “I can deal with it. I know I can.’’

He’ll face it. And he’ll persevere through it. The boos of the Yankees fans, as well as the talk of a trade, will fall on deaf ears for Stanton. In these day’s of instant gratification, if you don’t get the job done right away? Find someone else. Trade for someone better. Call up the next guy in line. And this is all after just 11 games. Such a shame.

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Thank goodness that GM’s and owners don’t operate under these ridiculous narratives. Well, some don’t. But for Stanton, he’s just got to keep “fighting the good fight.” Eventually, it will turn around for him and you won’t hear a thing about this. Welcome to the game of baseball.