New York Daily News

YANKS MAKING

Stanton says Bombers are team he’d play for

- BY NICHOLAS PARCO

Yankee fans dreaming of a lineup that includes Giancarlo Stanton hitting next to Aaron Judge: don’t give up hope just yet.

The Marlins slugger that Derek Jeter’s new franchise is so insistent on trading will now only approve a deal to four teams — and not only are the Bronx Bombers included, Stanton is “inclined” to accept a move to the Bronx.

The Yankees are “kicking the tires” on making a trade to get Stanton, according to a report.

The other teams Stanton will now approve a trade to are the Dodgers, Cubs and Astros.

He took meetings with both the Giants and Cardinals last week in Los Angeles, and a deal is in place with both teams, but on Thursday it came out that the reigning NL MVP does not want to join either team.

While Stanton, 28, will accept a trade to New York, the big unknown is what the Yankees would be willing to part with (and take on) in order to make a deal come to fruition.

Stanton is owed $295 million over the next 10 years, and that includes a full no-trade clause and potential opt-out in 2020.

Hal Steinbrenn­er and the Yankees have been preaching the importance of getting under the luxury tax for next offseason’s prized free agent class that includes Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, among others. Then there’s Stanton’s shaky injury history. He played in 159 games last season and hit 59 homers — seven more than AL Rookie of the Year Judge — but Stanton only averaged 115 games played from 2012-16.

Even if the Yankees would be willing to pick up the tab on what’s left of the monstrous contract, they would still have to give up at least some prospects from their loaded farm system.

That may include any combinatio­n of No. 1 overall prospect Gleyber Torres, 19-year-old pitching stud Justus Sheffield, Estevan Florial or some major-league ready talent, such as Clint Frazier, who is blocked from joining the Yankees’ packed outfield right now.

There’s a chance that Stanton and the Marlins will not be able to agree to terms on a deal, but trading Dee Gordon to the Mariners on Thursday showed Miami is taking its salary shedding and rebuild very seriously.

In light of the Yankees receiving a cold shoulder from Japanese sensation Shohei Otani, Jeter might just be gift wrapping quite the Christmas present for his old team.

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