Starting to Imagine Him in Pinstripes

Over the last 24 hours, the Giancarlo Stanton story veered off in a new direction. First, he used his no trade clause to block possible deals to the Giants and then the Cardinals. Then, Twitter began to blaze with reports that the Yankees might be in talks regarding the National League MVP. At first, a head-scratcher, then the conclusion that the Yankees were zeroing in on another Big Box Office Draw -- at pennies on the dollar.
With the Jeter-Sherman group determined to rid themselves of the 59-home-run-man's nearly $300 million dollar contract, the picture came into focus: Stanton's power to veto any situation that he didn't buy into, cost the Marlins almost all the leverage in negotiatons. And with the Yankees arch-rival the Red Sox staying out of the bidding -- Stanton had never included Boston among the destinations he'd approve -- there would be no auction with the the Yankees forced to overpay for him.
As of late Saturday morning, while nothing is final, it appears that the 2nd baseman Starlin Castro and several not-quite-top-level prospects are heading to Miami, while Stanton gets to bookend with Aaron Judge in the most potent outfield in the Bronx since Mantle and Maris. Stay tuned!
(This image is from the Marlins/Phillies doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on August 22nd -- you bet I'm happy that Dennis and I drove down for that!)

Comments

Staton Rabin said…
You summed it up perfectly: "At first, a head-scratcher, then the conclusion that the Yankees were zeroing in on another Big Box Office Draw-- at pennies on the dollar." Still hope they stay focused on getting starting pitching, since-- in terms of actual need-- I think that is more pressing if the Yankees hope to win it all in 2018. But I don't want to see them give up any of my favorite prospects or players to get it-- which of course is a Catch-22, since at this point spending a lot more money is not something they can do and still stay under the luxury tax threshold, so I would assume making trades for a pitcher is more likely. Maybe at the Winter Meetings? Or would re-signing CC be all they plan to do? They do have Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield waiting in the wings, Jordan Montgomery is already there, and pitchers like Domingo German, who got called up earlier this year, have potential, too.
December 9, 2017 at 2:32 PM
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