The 2019 season was played mostly by reserve options attempting to break into the starting lineup. The Yankees managed to find several grenades ready to explode, and luckily they did at the perfect times. Gio Urshela, Cameron Maybin, and Mike Tauchman were three influential players who produced when the regular starters were recovering from injury.
However, they were forced to start for the Bombers in place of guys like Giancarlo Stanton, who missed the entire season with various ailments. The 30-year-old battled a torn left bicep, a left shoulder strain, a sprained right knee, and a strained quad that plagued him throughout the campaign. He missed 144 of 162 possible games during the regular season, which will likely see Brian Cashman looking to cash in on his insurance policy.
2019 Statistics:Â 18 games, 72 plate appearances, .288/.403/.492, 3 home runs, 12 RBI, 8 runs, 139 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR
The New York Yankees need Giancarlo Stanton to bounce back:
The second-year for the slugger in the Bronx was a disappointing one, but even more so, the Yankees proved they don’t need him and his bat in the lineup. His $26 million pay-role salary went to waste and imagine if they had rolled that into a top-level starting pitcher — the Yankees might have won the World Series in an alternative reality.
While Stanton did miss the entire season virtually, he was impactful when called upon. His incredible power and stature make him a constant threat while at the plate. When the Bombers had a 2-0 lead against Zack Greinke in the ALCS, Stanton drilled a fastball into the Astros bullpen to extend the lead.
His contract, though, and injury concern, is what makes him a monetary liability. Included in his contract, Stanton has a full no-trade clause, making it impossible to move him unless he agrees. The Yankees are on the hook for nine more seasons totaling $230 million, averaging $25.5 million per-season (Spotrac).
If Stanton can bounce back and remain healthy, his value will come in the form of homers, and manager Aaron Boone is content with that reality considering their ideology. Health is the major factor here, and if the Yankees elect to sign a top starting pitcher, having Stanton at full-health will significantly boost the probability of a World Series appearance in 2020.