When Giancarlo Stanton signed that eye-watering $325 million deal in 2014, it was supposed to be a sign of dominance. A slugger that’s built to last and ready to steer any lineup. That was the expectation, right? But he ended up being a DH! And now the same contract of his, which felt like a flex, is feeling more like a trap. And the New York Yankees, with their latest move, just might have silently said, Stanton’s spot in the lineup is in danger.
Now it all starts with Aaron Judge and his strained elbow. Now, he is recovering well, and Aaron Boone is cautiously optimistic. He mentioned that Judge will soon hit off a tea and is expected to make a return soon. But the catch is—he will return as a DH. Throwing is off the table for him, at least for a couple more weeks.
That means one thing—when Judge returns, the designated hitter role is his. That’s when things get tricky.
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game three of the MLB, Baseball Herren, USA ALCS at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, on Thursday, October 17, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY CLE202410178249 AARONxJOSEFCZYK
So, the Yankees just got outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox. First, the timing is telling. Also, Slater has started games in right and left and even filled in as a DH. In just 77 plate appearances against the lefties this season, he has hit .261 with an .859 OPS—all five of his home runs coming from the span. So this is not just a random roster fill; it feels like a calculated move, given that Stanton’s relevance seems to have been compromised.
Boone, after all, hasn’t hidden his hesitancy about using Stanton in the outfield again. “I don’t know how much I’ll do it or if I’ll do it,” Boone mentioned. He pointed out Stanton’s past injuries, and there is always the fear of the next one, right? Plus, Stanton has not touched the outfield this season and logged just 31 games there last time. And while he has hit well in his limited time, .277 with seven homers—asking him to take care of the field again could risk everything. Even that offensive production!
Now with Judge expected to DH and Slater taking care of the outfield, where does Stanton fit? That’s the uncomfortable question right now. Boone’s cautionary words and Cashman getting Slater confirm what fans have whispered in forums—Stanton might not be as untouchable as it seems.
Could the New York Yankees flip Luke Weaver?
As the 2025 MLB trade deadline closes, don’t be surprised if the New York Yankees pull off a last-minute twist—or deal. According to FanSided’s Thomas Carannante, the New York Yankees might deal Luke Weaver. Shocking right? Given that he is one of their most reliable arms, even amidst their ongoing pitching issues. Carannante wrote, “The Yankees are rumored to be willing to listen on relievers on expiring deals….Weaver…is one of those arms. And if the Yankees aren’t contending, there’s no need for them to hold onto their back-end bullpen options.”
This is a head-scratching move, considering Luke Weaver has been a stabilizing presence in a shaky bullpen. He had even snatched Devin Williams’ closer job back in April. However, since his three-week IL stint, he has cooled off a little. His ERA of 3.18 is not jaw-dropping, but it’s still the third-best mark of his career. But the Yankee logic is understandable, too.
The Yankees already made a splash with offensive upgrades by getting Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario, and Austin Slater to patch up their infield and outfield links. Now the pressure is on to perk up the pitching staff, given that Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are out of season. If the front office can move Weaver for a starting arm with upside, it might be a trade-off that is worth making for the long run. Plus, Weaver is also on an expiring deal, and that makes him a potential rental. So the Yankees could flip now and try to re-sign if the stars align.
The post Yankees’ $325M DH’s Career on the Line After Brian Cashman Trade Move Confirms Aaron Boone’s Position appeared first on EssentiallySports.