Following their AL Division Series sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees have been eliminated from the playoffs. This loss exposes a roster that simply cannot compete at the highest level. The most glaring issue is the heavy contract tied up in Giancarlo Stanton, a player who misses too many games and hits too little when he is healthy. With his deal nearing its end, the front office faces a hard choice about his future. Keeping him around blocks the path to a better team.
The Stanton Problem Is Too Big
Stanton has been a liability for years, not just because of injuries but also due to poor production. Even when he plays, his numbers have dropped compared to his prime years. The team needs to cut ties and free up money for players who can help right now. Yahoo Sports reports that the organization faces a genuine choice regarding whether to evaluate his remaining capabilities. The answer should be no. They need to stop waiting for a player to get healthy and start building with guys who are ready to play every day.
Look At The Real Bench Options
Instead of wasting spots on Stanton, the Yankees should focus on filling specific gaps with smarter moves. Paul Goldschmidt wants to keep playing, but only as a bench bat against left-handed pitching. “I’d like to continue playing, so we’ll see if that opportunity happens,” Goldschmidt told Newsday’s Roger Rubin after New York’s elimination. He hit .299 with 11 home runs against lefties this year, which is useful. However, he should never be an everyday starter again. The team needs to give Ben Rice the full-time job at first base after his 41-homer season. Goldschmidt can be a tool, not a crutch.
The same logic applies to the catcher position. Austin Wells needs a backup who can hit, not a ghost from the past. In a recent Sports Illustrated piece, Joe Najarian advised the Yankees to re-sign Gary Sanchez. “Hear me out: a reunion with Gary Sanchez to back up Wells would be a solid offensive upgrade,” Najarian wrote. Sanchez hit 12 home runs for the Brewers this year and has the power to change a game. A cheap one-year deal for him makes more sense than paying Stanton to sit on the bench. The Yankees have holes to fill, and they need to use their resources wisely to fix them.
