Yanks snatch Stanton
It pays to be in a large market, which can absorb the additional cost the Yankees will shoulder in securing Stanton. Of the $295 million he’s due over the next decade, $265 million will be to their account. And it’s telling that they once again opened the
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Yankees don’t just get anything they want. After all, they did strike out on the Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes; for all their inherent advantages, they were eliminated from contention early, with the Japanese sensation choosing the Angels for a variety of reasons. That said, they do get just about everything else. Over the weekend, for example, they managed to win the battle for Giancarlo Stanton, benefiting from, among other factors, their deep pockets, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player’s required imprimatur on any transfer, and close ties with Marlins CEO Derek Jeter.
To be sure, the deal that will net them Stanton, Major League Baseball’s leader in home runs, RBIs, extra base hits, and slugging percentage, isn’t cast in stone yet. He could nix it the same way he did those previously struck with the Cardinals and Giants. Then again, he appears to be a great fit for the Yankees, who already boast of big bats in Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, and who figure to parade the most potent offense in the majors, and in a homerfriendly stadium to boot. Having been just the sixth player in MLB history to claim MVP honors for a losing season, he should be looking forward to his time in pinstripes.
Certainly, the Yankees found no small measure of good fortune in reviving talks for Stanton, which had stalled over the Marlins’ demands in the face of luxury-tax constraints. Following his decision to say no to the Cardinals and Giants, however, his employers saw limited options, compelling them to turn to the sport’s most storied franchise. And he’s set up well to thrive in the media capital of the world; the expectations may be much higher, but the entry of Aaron Boone as manager — and the ensuing honeymoon period — should give him the space he needs to claim comfort under the klieg lights.
Parenthetically, it pays to be in a large market, which can absorb the additional cost the Yankees will shoulder in securing Stanton. Of the $295 million he’s due over the next decade, $265 million will be to their account. And it’s telling that they once again opened their checkbooks after choosing to lie low in recent memory. Once again, they’re swinging for the fences. And while nothing is a sure thing in baseball, once again, they’re coming close to it.