Blue Jays: Ranking the 10 worst contracts in the AL East

7. Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton is in a very similar boat to George Springer. His talent can’t be overlooked. When healthy he’s capable of hitting 50+ home runs, and he’s one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League. He hit as many as 59 in his MVP year of 2017. The problem is, he just can’t stay on the field.

In his first season with the Yankees, he did stay healthy, playing in 158 games and hitting 38 home runs. In the following two seasons, he combined to play in just 41 games. His health status was better last season as he only missed 22 games, but this year it’s been worse as he only has 80 games played under his belt so far.

When healthy, the Yankees have a very formidable lineup. When they don’t have Stanton like right now, their offence has disappeared.

Stanton is owed $150 million dollars over the next five seasons with another year after that being in the Yankees’ control in the form of a $25 million dollar club option.

$30 million dollars annually for healthy Stanton is fine, but you know you’re not getting that. Stanton is 32 and will be 37 when the guaranteed portion of the contract is up. He’s already restricted to mostly DH usage because of his injuries, and they will likely only get worse as the years go on.

If Stanton’s contract is the reason the Yankees let Aaron Judge walk this offseason (it probably won’t and shouldn’t), that’d be something.

The Yankees have a World Series calibre lineup as long as Stanton is in it.