Giancarlo Stanton’s Yankees comeback includes massive money decision

Part 21 in a series analyzing the New York Yankees 

If the owners and players can navigate over the many serious hurdles to cobble together a baseball season, the Yankees should have a weapon they missed for most of last season: Giancarlo Stanton.

“He should be ready to go and be part of things,’’ Aaron Boone said late last month of Stanton, who suffered a Grade 1 strain of his right calf while doing fielding drills during spring training.

That would be welcome news to the Yankees, who could also get back Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and James Paxton for the start of a schedule that would open in July.

General manager Brian Cashman said this past week Judge’s fractured top right rib is healing, according to tests that the right fielder will continue to take.

“We’ll continue that process that will hopefully continue to show that expected healing going forward and once we resume play we’re excited to believe he’ll join us at full capacity,’’ Cashman said.

Cashman said Hicks, who had Tommy John surgery following last season, is taking dry swings, adding, “[Hicks] playing center field for the New York Yankees this summer is a legit option, as expected. His time frame is currently going as planned.”

As for Paxton, who is pitching simulated games at his home in Wisconsin, he is fully recovered from back surgery that sidelined him in the spring.

“[His] issues look like they’ve resolved and he’s now just tuning up and getting ready,” Cashman said.

Stanton’s second year with the Yankees was limited to just 18 regular-season games and five in the postseason due to a strained left biceps that kept him on the injured list from April 1 to June 18. A sprained right knee landed the left fielder/DH on the IL from June 26 to Sept. 18.

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Even with Stanton for just 18 games and Judge limited to 102 games last year due to a strained left oblique strain, the Yankees cruised to the AL East title.

Though some believed Stanton’s first year with the Yankees didn’t match expectations, despite him hitting .266 with 38 homers and 100 RBIs in 158 games in 2018, the Yankees would welcome that type of pro-rated production if there is a season this summer.

Of course the expectations are tied to the 30-year-old Stanton having eight years and $254 million remaining on the 13-year deal for $325 million he signed with the Marlins following the 2014 season.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic put this season in jeopardy, some were skeptical Stanton would exercise an opt-out clause in the contract following the season and become a free agent because he would be walking away from $218 million.

If there is a season and Stanton produces like he did for the Marlins in 2017 when he hit 59 homers, drove in 132 runs and posted a 1.007 OPS, it still might not be enough to better what he has left on the contract. Should no games be played, it is really far-fetched to think about opting out.

If Stanton doesn’t opt out, the Marlins owe the Yankees $30 million. They also owe the Yankees $10 million in 2026 and 2027 and $10 million in 2028 when there is a $25 million club option or a $10 million buyout.

A season that possibly starts in July would provide the Yankees an opportunity to retool their outfield that wouldn’t have included Hicks in center, Stanton in left and Judge in right. None would have been ready for the March 26 opener in Baltimore. Instead, Brett Gardner would have been in center, Mike Tauchman in right or left and possibly Miguel Andujar or Clint Frazier in left.

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