Giancarlo Stanton took a massive step back in 2023, posting a lowly .695 OPS while batting .191 across 101 games. Injuries were once again a factor, but normally, Stanton is productive when he is healthy enough to play. Last season, that wasn’t the case.
Stanton, under contract for another four years, will be looking to bounce back, and Aaron Boone sounded more than confident that a rebound is coming in 2024.
“Giancarlo is going to have a good year. I am confident in that,” Boone said on MLB Network’s High Heat. “I think he is in the middle of having a really, really great winter.
“He’s taken a hard look at things…when you get north of 30 years old, you have to make little adjustments along the way. I am confident in Giancarlo’s makeup and the person and his focus and his pride. He’s gonna come in ready to roll, in tremendous shape, and I think we’re gonna see a really strong season from Giancarlo.”
Not only does Boone expect a return to form for the 34-year-old Stanton, he anticipates the oft-injured slugger being healthy and “athletic” enough to be a contributor in the outfield.
“Something that is a priority for him is making sure he’s in a better position to be a more athletic and more consistent option in the outfield,” Boone said. “I don’t know how many games it is, but to be that option, whether it’s one, two, or three times a week…to have Giancarlo in a good, physical position to go out there and more than hold his own, that is a focus of his this winter, and I believe it’s gonna happen.”