The New York Yankees are firmly in control of the American League East, and they might soon become even more dangerous.
Manager Aaron Boone delivered encouraging news this week regarding slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who could soon return to the lineup after starting the season on the injured list with tendinitis in both elbows.
According to Boone, Stanton is close to beginning a rehab assignment. While that remains the likely route, MLB insider Andy Martino reported there’s a small chance the veteran could skip it altogether and rejoin the Yankees directly.
Stanton’s return could not come at a better time. While Aaron Judge has continued to produce at an elite level, opposing teams are pitching around him. Stanton’s presence in the lineup would force pitchers to be more aggressive and offer Judge much-needed protection.
Stanton’s Rollercoaster Tenure in New York
When the Yankees traded for Stanton in 2018, they were acquiring the reigning National League MVP who had just blasted 59 home runs and driven in 132 runs with the Miami Marlins.
At the time, Stanton was one of baseball’s most feared power hitters, and the Yankees took on the remainder of his massive 13-year, $325 million contract.
Since then, Stanton’s time in the Bronx has been marked by flashes of brilliance and long stretches of frustration. Injuries have plagued the slugger, sidelining him with everything from hamstring and quad strains to knee and biceps issues. Those setbacks have slowly eroded his athleticism – once a capable outfielder, Stanton is now almost exclusively used as a designated hitter.
Yet when healthy, he’s still capable of dominating. He’s produced multiple 30-homer seasons with the Yankees and was named MVP of the 2022 All-Star Game. In the 2020 playoffs, Stanton turned back the clock, posting a staggering 1.426 OPS over seven games. Last postseason, while Judge struggled, Stanton stepped up-crushing seven home runs and driving in 16 RBIs to help lead New York to the AL pennant.
Stanton’s biggest strength remains his raw power. Few players in the league hit the ball as hard, and his ability to drive in runs in big moments hasn’t faded. However, his production against left-handed pitchers has dipped significantly. During his MVP year in Miami, he slugged .764 against lefties; in 2022, that number plummeted to .379.
Despite these inconsistencies, the Yankees know what Stanton can bring when healthy – and that makes his return a major storyline to watch this summer. With two years remaining after this season on his current deal, New York hopes that Stanton still has some of that MVP magic left.
If he does, and if he stays healthy, the Yankees’ offense could become nearly unstoppable heading into the second half of the season.
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