The New York Yankees are no strangers to landing superstar names — Alex Rodriguez, Gerrit Cole, and Juan Soto all represent moments when the franchise flexed its financial and organizational power. But what happens when a big-name acquisition doesn’t quite live up to the hype?
That’s where Giancarlo Stanton comes in. After winning the National League MVP in 2017, Stanton was brought to the Bronx with sky-high expectations. While he’s been a solid contributor, his .806 OPS in pinstripes falls short of the .914 mark he posted during his time with the Miami Marlins. With young talent emerging in New York, some are beginning to question whether it’s time to move on from the $325 million slugger.
According to Zachary Howell of Clutch Sports, there might actually be a suitor: the Seattle Mariners.
“Stanton outperformed nearly every Yankee during last year’s postseason push,” Howell noted. “There’s no reason to believe he couldn’t do that again with a different team — especially one that gets him to October. But with the rise of players like Ben Rice, the Yankees might be ready to move on. That doesn’t mean Stanton wouldn’t be valuable to a team like the Mariners that’s looking to add more offensive firepower.”
A Powerful but Injury-Plagued Career
There’s no denying Stanton’s legacy as one of the premier power hitters of his generation. Over 15 seasons, the 35-year-old has posted a .257/.345/.525 slash line with an impressive .871 OPS and 429 home runs — including a jaw-dropping 59 in his MVP year.
Seattle, which has lacked a true middle-of-the-order slugger in recent years, could certainly benefit from that kind of firepower. However, Stanton’s career has been marred by injuries. He hasn’t played in 150 games since 2018 and has missed at least 40 games every year since 2020. This season, he has yet to appear in a game due to elbow tendinitis.
Now primarily a designated hitter, Stanton hasn’t played the field since 2023 and doesn’t offer much defensively due to age and reduced mobility.
The Contract Complication
Stanton’s deal is another hurdle. He’s still owed $66 million over the next three seasons, with a club option looming in 2028. He also holds a full no-trade clause, meaning he would have to approve any deal — including a potential move to Seattle.
Still, while he’s no longer a guaranteed 50-homer threat, Stanton remains a dangerous power bat — and that’s exactly what the Mariners could use.
Last season, Seattle’s offense lacked consistency, finishing 22nd in team OPS despite having one of baseball’s top pitching staffs (2nd in ERA at 3.49). They narrowly missed the playoffs, largely due to their lack of offensive production.
A Potential Win-Win?
If the Mariners are serious about making a postseason run, Stanton could be a difference-maker — assuming he’s healthy. And with Seattle boasting an abundance of pitching, the Yankees might look to make a swap for an arm to bolster their own depth.
The asking price wouldn’t be sky-high, but Stanton could offer the kind of playoff-impact bat that changes the trajectory of a contender.
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