The New York Yankees appear to be running it back with pretty much the same roster going into next season, for better or for worse. That includes Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger, who were both free agents but ended up returning to the Bronx for 2026. Rather than turning to free agency to improve their lineup, the Yankees clearly believe that the players they currently have.
That also includes Giancarlo Stanton, the longest-tenured Yankees on the roster outside of captain Aaron Judge. The 36 year-old had a solid 2025 despite appearing in just 77 games due to having tendonitis in both elbows. Stanton slashed .273/.350/.594 with 24 homers, 66 RBI’s and an OPS+ of 158, and was a big reason why the Yankees almost won the AL East. However, despite a solid season last year, the 2020s haven’t been too kind to Stanton. In fact, if he isn’t able to maintain a solid level of production during the last two years of his contract, he could be in danger of missing out on Cooperstown.
October Success
Ironically, Stanton is one of, if not the, best playoff performer New York has had in decades. He almost singlehandedly led the Yankees to a World Series title two years ago, smacking 7 homers in the 2024 postseason alone. His career OPS in the postseason sits at .926, and his 18 career postseason home runs are tied for 10th all-time. He has all the accolades for a Hall-of-Fame career: an MVP, almost 500 home runs, an ALCS MVP, and a career brWAR nearly surpassing 50. The one thing he doesn’t have is a World Series ring.
Not that winning a title is necessary for induction into the Hall, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. For Stanton, it might be all he needs to be a surefire candidate (other than the 47 home runs he needs to reach 500). However, the odds that he’ll be able to both win a title and hit 47 home runs over the next two seasons are not very high.
Twilight Years
It’s safe to say that Stanton’s tenure with the Yankees hasn’t gone completely as expected; if one were asked back in December 2018 whether Judge and Stanton would win a title together, the answer would be a resounding yes. Now, though, it’s looking like it might not happen, especially with Stanton way out of his prime. If Stanton and Judge are able to make it happen, though, then that would certainly secure a spot for each in the Hall (though both have strong cases even without a ring). Even without title on his resume, Stanton could secure his spot in Cooperstown if he finishes his career on a high note.
GIANCARLO STANTON SENDS ONE DEEP INTO THE NIGHT 💥 pic.twitter.com/8MOKg9T4fD
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2024
Deja Vu
In 2016, David Ortiz went on a rampage in his final season with the Boston Red Sox. This came after a few seasons of slowly declining numbers, and from almost out of nowhere Ortiz exploded for 38 home runs, a .315 batting average, a 1.021 OPS (1st in MLB), 127 RBI’s (1st in the AL) and 48 doubles (1st in MLB). If one Hall-of-Famer can end his career on such a hot streak, perhaps another potential Hall-of-Famer can.
It’s not just about Stanton’s case for the Hall, though: it would also be fitting for him to end his Yankee career on a good foot. After years of struggling to stay healthy and productive, Stanton has the power to change the narrative around his career in pinstripes and make fans remember his playoff success and longevity, rather than his failures.
(Top Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)