The New York Yankees face a significant roster decision regarding Giancarlo Stanton following another injury-plagued season. Stanton, the 2017 National League MVP and co-captain of the team alongside Aaron Judge, has struggled to find a consistent role amid a lineup that includes other players like Ben Rice and Luis García Jr., both of whom primarily served as first basemen or designated hitters last season. With Judge, who is entering his age-35 season, also dealing with injury concerns, there may be an increased need for more designated hitter duties, potentially reshaping how Stanton fits into the team's plans.
Stanton remains under a substantial contract, originally signed with the Miami Marlins in 2014 for 13 years and $325 million. He is owed $25 million for the 2027 season; however, the Marlins are expected to cover $10 million of that amount. Additionally, Stanton has a club option for 2028 worth $25 million or, alternatively, a $10 million buyout, with the Marlins again responsible for $10 million if the option is declined. This structure means the Yankees would effectively incur around $15 million in salary obligations if they decide to part ways with Stanton at this point.
The Yankees have precedent in managing large sums of dead money on their payroll. Over the past few years, the team absorbed significant remaining contracts for players such as DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Hicks, and Jacoby Ellsbury after releasing them. Unlike those cases, however, each player was given a chance to recover or demonstrate ongoing value before their departures. Given Stanton’s status and leadership role, it would be unexpected if the Yankees did not provide him a similar opportunity to prove that he can contribute moving forward.
Statistically, Stanton’s performance in recent years has been hampered by limited playing time and injuries. Early in the 2026 season, he appeared in only 24 games, hitting three home runs with a .724 OPS. Yet, after returning from elbow injuries in 2025, he posted strong numbers, including 24 home runs and a .944 OPS over 77 games. Despite some decreases in metrics such as hard-hit percentage, barrel rate, and bat speed in 2026, these assessments are affected by a small sample size.
Beyond Stanton, the Yankees are also evaluating Ryan McMahon, who is owed $16 million next season. McMahon’s defensive regressions and below-average offensive production in 2026 have sparked questions about his future with the team. As the Yankees prepare for the upcoming season, they face difficult decisions on how to balance payroll commitments with roster flexibility, particularly in managing players under long-term, high-value contracts whose recent performances have been curtailed by injuries or decline.