The Yankees, thanks to Aaron Judge’s absence, are being exposed for their flaws in the lineup, as the team has been among the worst offenses in baseball since their MVP went on the IL with a toe injury.
Gio says the biggest culprit is Giancarlo Stanton, who is batting below .150 since returning from the IL, and he continues to be the face of the Bombers’ shortcomings since coming to New York in a blockbuster trade in 2017.
“He has probably been the biggest reason why they haven’t been able to become the team that Brian Cashman envisioned because of his injuries and his struggles,” Gio said. “His money that has been brought over from that trade…having another $300 million player on the roster that prevented them from doing other things because Hal Steinbrenner was very luxury tax conscious, that has held them back from doing what they want to do and being the team they want to be.”
Gio believes the Stanton deal prevented the Yankees from signing other big-name free agents that have blossomed into stardom with their new clubs, while the Yankees have consistently been a piece or two short in their recent playoff runs, and Stanton’s contract is the culprit.
It also won’t change any time soon, as there is more than four years left on that deal.
“Really, you can’t shed him,” Gio said. “He’s gonna be here…you’re going to be on the books with this guy for the rest of that contract, and you’re not getting rid of him. He’s not desirable, he’s not cheap enough, and there’s nothing about this guy that anybody would want. The Yankees are stuck. That’s it. He stinks.
“Whether it be Manny Machado or Bryce Harper…they weren’t in on those guys because of where they were with the luxury tax, and they knew they had to pay Aaron Judge.”
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