Many Yankee fans want to see the team bite the bullet on the rest of Giancarlo Stanton’s contract and trade him, but Evan says fans who want that outcome are “fools.”
If Evan was in Brian Cashman’s shoes, he would take a different approach that doesn’t include paying the oft-injured slugger to play elsewhere.
“It would be foolish for the Yankees to buy out and get rid of Giancarlo Stanton,” Evan said. “You’re gonna pay this guy his full paycheck and payroll to simply go away? That’s what you’re willing to do? There’s a use in Giancarlo Stanton.
“The reason Texas and Houston were willing to take back a player like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander and give you prospects while you paid for them, is because they saw use in both players. Right now, Giancarlo Stanton’s value is at its lowest. He’s coming off a terrible season when he played, and he didn’t play a lot, and he hasn’t played a lot in the last five years.”
So, what would Evan do with Stanton if he is keeping him around? Essentially make him the highest-paid platoon DH of all time.
“Here’s what’s smart business: you gotta pay this guy anyway. Write him a check to do something productive,” Evan said. “I’d sit him down and say ‘We don’t care how much money you’re making, or that you won the MVP in 2017. You are a part-time player. Last year, you were actually productive against left-handed pitching. For now, you are a part-time player who will play in situations where we like the matchup.’
“Forget the money. If he produces and stays healthy, you give him more playing time.”
