To go deep into the postseason, the Yankees will need all of their offensive firepower, which means veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton must make a huge contribution. The 34-year-old has had a few solid runs this season, but his overall performance has been inconsistent.
Stanton’s Struggles and The Yankees’ Offensive Needs
Stanton, who is under contract with the Yankees until 2028 with a $10 million buyout option, poses a dilemma for the franchise, as younger players such as Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones are primed to become major league regulars. Given Stanton’s high pay, the Yankees must choose between benching him and trying to maximize his strengths despite his limitations.
Stanton’s current statistics include a.225 batting average,.275 on-base percentage, and.471 slugging percentage, as well as 13 home runs and 29 RBI. His predicted home run total this season would be his highest since 2017.
Performance Lows and Possible Adjustments
However, Stanton’s performance in the last 15 days has been disappointing, with a.170 batting average, four home runs, and a.688 OPS. His offensive contributions have been limited to a few home runs, with a noteworthy drop in plate discipline and an increase in strikeouts, his highest rate since a brief 2019 season.
Despite these issues, Stanton’s power stats remain impressive, with a 52% hard-hit rate, an 18.1% barrel rate, and an average exit velocity of 92.9. These numbers illustrate that, while he still has plenty of power, his overall usefulness in the lineup falls when he doesn’t hit home runs.
The Yankees recently sought to improve their batting order by shifting Alex Verdugo back to fifth and Stanton to cleanup, but this move failed to produce beneficial results in Thursday’s game, as Stanton struck out four times without reaching base.
Looking ahead, the Yankees must examine how to best integrate Stanton into the lineup, especially given Anthony Rizzo’s upcoming comeback. While it may not be necessary to maintain Stanton in the cleanup spot given Verdugo’s performance, the Yankees may attempt to strengthen their lineup by acquiring another powerful hitter as the trade deadline nears. This move would provide more assistance and flexibility in their attacking plan.
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