A hitter whose menacing presence in the batter’s box was unlike any other, Giancarlo Stanton now sees what once seemed like a likely historic accomplishment looking further away than ever. Nearing 37 years of age and coming off a season in which he only accumulated 90 at-bats, Stanton looks bound for a retirement falling short of the 500-HR club. Currently sitting at 456 home runs, Stanton would need a significant turnaround to reach the mark that has been a benchmark for the Hall of Fame historically.
Prior to this season, Stanton’s many injury problems had limited his regular season exposure, but he had, ever since the 2020 campaign, found a way to muster up enough playing time to gain significant ground on this chase for 500 bombs. Bringing a specific number to the table, between the 2021 and 2025 seasons, Stanton averaged 28.2 home runs per year. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a whole lot given what we know of Stanton’s capabilities, but it’s more than Bryce Harper over the same period (26.2).
That level of production and availability kept the spark alive for him joining the 500-HR club, maybe even as a Yankee, but then 2026 rolled around and, by all indications, his calves gave out. Twenty-three games scattered between March and April were all that Stanton could provide in a season so worrisome that it has put his future with the Yankees in doubt.
Assuming Stanton had been able to carry on the pace he had between 2021 and 2025 for just a couple more seasons, so this one and in 2027, there was a realistic shot he might get to this number wearing pinstripes. Now, the Yankees are left to calculate if it’s worth it to dedicate their DH spot to a hitter who has spent more time off the field than on it in the past two seasons.
The specifics of Stanton’s contract show he is owed $25 million for the 2027 season, out of which only $15 million is covered by the Yankees, with the other $10 million coming from the Marlins. For 2028, Stanton has a team option worth the same amount, with a $10 million buyout. Overall, the Yankees still owe Stanton $25 million.
Although it isn’t the specific point we must address here, any Stanton-related cut has to take other factors into account—such as the flexibility the DH slot could provide if a more reliable hitter was slotted in but also keeping it available for other players to spend time rotating into the role. When it comes to the figure owed to him—although it’d represent a significant hit—we’re at a point where it’s well within reason for the club to cut the cord should it deem it is too unlikely he can play regularly in the near future.
Technically, if Stanton can get back to the availability of even 2025, he could still fight for this immense achievement, not to mention other team-oriented goals such as winning his first championship. That being said, the likelihood of this happening puts him more distant than close to the Yankees’ long-term plans. An accomplished star in this game and one whose continuous hamstring injuries have taken their toll, it’s worth pondering how much Stanton is willing to push this.
