Stanton yearns to win a Series title with Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton is hoping his sixth season with the Yankees has a ring to it. After all, that’s why he requested a trade from the Marlins after his MVP 2017 season.
The four-time All-Star during his time in Miami sought a winning situation, and while he has technically found one in New York, he still has yet to capture that elusive World Series title.
The 33-year-old has had some strong postseason performances — 11 homers in 27 career postseason games — after a rocky beginning to his career in pinstripes (he heard the boo-birds during his first home game as a Yankee).
However, with the clock winding down on the prime of his career, the
Los Angeles native says a championship is all that matters.
“I need to get it done [win a World Series],” Stanton said Tuesday in Tampa. “But at the same time, we need to get it done. I think it’s a goal for everybody. You put personal mind-set, personal goals to it, so of course that’s what I came here for. That’s what I’m here to achieve every year.
“As the years go on the pressure gets higher to get one, so, whether that’s for me personally or the fans or how far away we are from 2009 [the Yankees’ last World Series title] it all comes hand in hand.”
The Bombers are reusing a similar formula to last season with familiar faces all around the diamond.
With the exception of inking Carlos Rodon toa six-year, $162 million contract to form arguably the game’s best rotation, it’s more or less the same team that was swept by the Astros in last season’s ALCS.
“We’re in a good spot,” Stanton said. “It’s the same. It’s very similar. We have all the pieces to get it done.”
OHTANI’S AGENT MUM ON NEGOTIATIONS
Shohei Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, has been coy about the Angels star’s contract status, but he hinted this week that Ohtani will likely explore free agency, even if it does ultimately result in him remaining with Los Angeles.
Balelo, of CAA Sports, was asked if he’d be open to negotiating an extension for Ohtani during spring training.
“I've always been open to it,” Balelo said. “But there's several layers to this one, and Shohei’s earned the right to play through the year, explore free agency, and we’ll see where it shakes out.”
On whether he’s open to having contract extension discussions during the season, Balelo said: “I would just say that it’s tough to have a discussion that will be so meaningful during the season and probably makes more sense to table and wait till the end of the season.”
EX-COACH SUES METS
Phil Regan sued the New York Mets and former general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, alleging age discrimination and wrongful termination when he was moved out as pitching coach after the 2019 season. Regan is a former big league pitcher who turns 86 in April.
“He helped lower the team ERA and brought the staff back to where it was supposed to be. Instead of rewarding him for his masterful performance he was tossed aside because of his age,” Regan’s lawyer, Matthew J. Blit, said in a statement.