Why Giancarlo Stanton is $22 million headache for Yankees in 2026

1 month ago 12

Giancarlo Stanton's future with the New York Yankees is murky.

Three separate calf injuries have limited the designated hitter to just 24 games, and he hasn't suited up since April.

Stanton has been a postseason monster in recent years. But should the Yankees rely on him to ever reach that point again?

New York can no longer build its roster around a 36-year-old DH who can't stay on the field.

Manager Aaron Boone hasn't ruled out Stanton's situation as a season-ending one. The slugger is going to try his best to flip the script and make a comeback.

Still, Stanton has hurt the Yankees more than he's helped them, especially with a $22 million salary.

"Stanton missing a significant chunk of the season to recover from an injury has been an annual rite of passage for eight years at this point. He usually plays enough to still make an impact, averaging 108.2 games played and 28.2 home runs over the previous five seasons," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote.

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"No such luck this year; he last appeared in a game on April 24 due to calf injuries. Even while healthy, he was a league-average hitter with a 100 OPS+," Miller added.

It's unclear what the Yankees will decide to do with Stanton after the season ends. He still has one year remaining on his contract, and the Yankees hold a team option for 2028.

If Stanton returns next season, it may be his last with the Yankees and in the Majors.