GIANCARLO STANTON COULD BE THE ODD MAN OUT?

Source: The New York Times

No one is safe and no contract guaranteed.  Despite putting up a .266 batting average, 100 RBIs, and 38 home runs, Giancarlo Stanton's performance in his first year in pinstripes was lackluster. But this nugget from NESN casts a darker shadow on Stanton's underwhelming numbers this season.

Source: SNY

“Obviously it’s a massive contract, but if the Dodgers ever felt they needed to do something splashy, Stanton isn’t that far-fetched, since that’s one team to which he would likely approve a trade. Nor would it be far-fetched if the Giants wanted a big hitter to give their staggering offense a jump start, or if the Phillies decided to include Stanton on their list of superstars to acquire. Stanton has about $260 million remaining on his contract over the next 10 years. That would be cheaper than acquiring Machado or Bryce Harper," reports Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe via NESN on Saturday.

Source: The New York Post

Stanton, criticized for his late start and his quiet bat with runners in scoring position as the season matured, seemingly could not contribute in the field and his price tag was not cost effective considering the Yankees' inability to move past the Red Sox in the American League Division Series.  But if you asked me, NESN and The Globe both think that we're angry about losing to the Sox and that's why they think we want to move Stanton.  Actually, Stanton's numbers were not that bad at face value but because he's Giancarlo Stanton, and he plays for the winningest team in baseball, he's held to a higher standard as are the Yankees themselves.  So no, Boston, we're not angry, it's baseball and you were the better team last year.  

Source: NJ.com

Yet, NESN wrote this, "Still, with the Yankees clearly angered over the Boston Red Sox winning another World Series championship, fans should expect a busy offseason from the “Evil Empire.” New York reportedly already has its sights set on star free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper." 

Source: WBGH

The Yankees want to win.  And clearly they need more than Stanton to do it, so yes, they are going to be active this off season so they can win.  If the Sox are contending and in their way, then yes, they will try to push them out of the way, but make no mistake, it's not personal, like Boston makes it out to be, it's baseball and it's business.

Source: The New York Post

Could Stanton be the odd man out? Anyone is dispensable.  One man does not make a team and with or without Stanton, the Yankees are going to make a run for it next year.  So Boston can suck on an egg and continue to be cry babies.  It's not personal, it's baseball.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof