Giancarlo Stanton is officially a New York Yankee. It was reported over the weekend that the Miami Marlins were prepared to send Stanton, the reigning National League MVP, to New York in exchange for second baseman Starlin Castro and some prospects. All that needed to happen was for Stanton to waive his no-trade clause and the slugger was heading to the Bronx.
The clause was waived, and on Monday morning, the Yankees tweeted out confirmation that they had acquired the most feared power hitter in baseball.
It’s been waiting for you. pic.twitter.com/yaDMQS7Z5S
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 11, 2017
We also learned that the rumored return for both sides was true, as the prospects in the move were a right handed pitcher and an infielder. Additionally, the Marlins sent the Yankees money to offset some of the 10 years and $295 million remaining on Stanton’s gaudy contract.
The Yankees today announced that they have acquired outfielder @Giancarlo818 & cash considerations from the @Marlins in exchange for 2B Starlin Castro, minor league RHP Jorge Guzman & minor league INF Jose Devers. Stanton's introductory presser will be live on Yankees FB @ 2p.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 11, 2017
There is some history being made with this deal, namely because the Yankees are teaming up Stanton with Aaron Judge. Both players hit at least 50 home runs last year — Stanton went yard 59 times, while Judge hit 52 dingers. They were two-best sluggers in the game in 2017, and with this trade becoming official, it means that next season will be the second time in baseball history that a team will have two players who touched them all at least 50 times in the same lineup. The last time it happened was in 1962 and also involved the Yankees.
The only teammates in @MLB history to have hit 50+ homers in the previous season:
1962: Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris
2018: @Giancarlo818 and @TheJudge44
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 11, 2017
To continue going down this rabbit hole, this deal is the first time in more than a decade in which a reigning MVP was traded during the offseason. That deal happened in 2004, and saw the Yankees acquiring Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers.
Reigning MVP winners to change teams in offseason:
– Giancarlo Stanton (2017)
– Alex Rodriguez (2003)
– Barry Bonds (1992)— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) December 9, 2017
The Yankees came within one game of the making the World Series last year, so the fact that they were able to add a player the caliber of Stanton to an already scary lineup is something else. Baseball is a weird sport where anything can happen, but assuming everyone stays healthy, the middle of the Yankees’ lineup is probably going to produce a whole bunch of dingers for the foreseeable future.
