At his best, Giancarlo Stanton can be a dominating slugger capable of powering the New York Yankees to a win in a high-profile playoff series. The problem with the 36-year-old outfielder is just how seldom he can play at his best. Stanton's inability to stay healthy has the Yankees front office counting down the days before they can get rid of his massive contract.
Stanton signed a 13-year, $325 million contract with the Marlins way back in 2015. The deal's structure is interesting in that his compensation fluctuates year to year several times. New York acquired the right-handed slugger in 2018 and had a chance to exercise an opt-out in the contract after the 2021 season.
In retrospect, GM Brian Cashman and his staff probably should have taken that out. Now they've been stuck with the injury-riddled designated hitter making massive money for the last four seasons. This year has represented the nadir of his value with the team. He's only managed to play in 24 games on the year and the recent news of his latest hamstring injury likely means his 2026 campaign is over.
That news only serves to heighten speculation on how and when the Yankees might be able to cut ties with Stanton. The franchise might want to be rid of him immediately, but they'll need to wait a bit longer before they can move on with life after Stanton.
When will the Yankees be done with Giancarlo Stanton?
The most likely answer to this query is after the guaranteed portion of his contract ends. That happens after the 2027 season. There is a club option for the 2028 season, but it's impossible to believe the Yankees will even consider picking that up given how Stanton's career performance is in free fall.
The Yankees could try to reach some sort of buyout with Stanton during the offseason, but he has zero motivation to give up a single dollar of guaranteed cash. It's not as if another team will be willing to sign him to a multi-year agreement that might offer him a chance to make more money over the long haul.
The only other option available to Cashman and his staff would be to explore trading him in some type of salary dump. That's a more common tactic in the NBA than MLB, but Stanton's situation could prompt New York to do something out of the ordinary. The fact that Stanton is only set to make $15 million next season could open up an avenue for the Yankees to trade him plus a mid-level prospect to a team willing to eat that sort of dead money.
Ultimately, the Yankees will likely be forced to carry Stanton for one more season before they're able to be done with his salary and inability to play in the field. It projects to be a sad end for a player who could dominate the sport before his body ultimately betrayed him. More fans in New York will likely remember him for his injury absences than anything positive he did on the diamond.
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