15 Yankees Options to Replace Giancarlo Stanton and Find Aaron Judge's Next Co-Star in 2027

It isn't too soon to wonder if we've seen the last of Giancarlo Stanton as a New York Yankee. If we have, the search for his replacement must start now.

Coming into this year, Stanton was a 36-year-old DH with a lengthy injury history. He has since added to it, originally going on the IL with a right calf strain in April and then straining his left calf while trying to run as part of his recovery program. His season, at least, is likely over.

Stanton has missed almost as many games (694) as he's played in (764) since he joined the Yankees in 2018. He has one guaranteed year left on his contract at $25 million, followed by a $10 million buyout on a $25 million club option for 2028.

When B/R ran a poll on what the Yankees should do with Stanton, only 11 percent of respondents were in favor of keeping the 2017 NL MVP. Most preferred him getting released or retiring—the latter would surely require a buyout.

B/R

It'll come down to what Stanton wants. If he wants a shot at the 44 home runs he needs to get to 500, he could be granted his release. If he's tired of all the injuries, retirement and the buyout are his best options.

Either way, the Yankees only need to look back to Stanton's 2024 postseason for evidence that even Aaron Judge needs a Robin to his Batman. While they could trust Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, Luis García Jr. or Spencer Jones to fill that role, they're better off eyeing potential solutions on the free-agent and trade markets.

5 Options for the Yankees in Free Agency

The Pie in the Sky: DH/RHP Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

This is ridiculous, but it would be less ridiculous if there wasn't a whole bunch of speculation about Mark Walter's intentions. He's already sold the Los Angeles Lakers in the face of a federal investigation into his business practices. Could the Dodgers be next?

Signs point to no for now, but that it's even possible has major Ohtani ramifications. He has a clause in his 10-year, $700 million contract that allows him to opt out if Walter sells the Dodgers.

Per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the four-time MVP isn't likely to take advantage of that clause. Even if he did, there's no rule that says the Dodgers' subsequent new owners couldn't up bring him back.

Still, if there's a 1-in-a-million chance of the Yankees having a shot at Ohtani, neither Heaven nor Earth should stand in their way at acquiring the best player baseball has ever known.

The More Likely Targets: LF Randy Arozarena (SEA), 2B Brandon Lowe (PIT), LF Ian Happ (CHC), RF Seiya Suzuki (CHC)

Ohtani aside, these are the best hitters who are slated to hit free agency this winter. It is indeed that weak of a crop.

All of these guys can hit you 25 home runs in a season, and Arozarena will give you 20 stolen bases to boot. Yet he also has an enigma act that probably wouldn't play well in New York. He'll also be 32 come Opening Day of 2027.

The lefty-hitting, pull-happy Lowe has the best Yankee Stadium profile on paper, but not so much in practice. He has a .650 OPS there for his career, and that's over an ample sample of 44 games.

The switch-hitting Happ is more of a well-rounded type than a slugger, so Suzuki is the better option if all the Yankees want is an impact bat. He's cleared a .800 OPS four years in a row, and has a high of 32 home runs.

10 Options for the Yankees on the Trade Market

The Best Possible Option: DH/LF Yordan Alvarez (HOU)

There was some Alvarez trade buzz earlier this year, and the Houston Astros just decided to part ways with GM Dana Brown. Given this and the dire state of their farm system, maybe we're in for the Astros making a Mookie Betts-style trade.

Even if it's highly unlikely, the Yankees would need to be at the front of the line. Alvarez is another injury-prone guy, yet he's also a guy with a career 168 OPS+ and AL-best marks for AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, home runs and RBI this year. He also has a 1.133 OPS at Yankee Stadium.

As for the acquisition cost, "huge" doesn't cover it. Alvarez is 29 and owed a modest $53.7 million across 2027 and 2028.

The Funniest Possible Option: DH/1B Rafael Devers (SFG)

Buster Posey was said to be willing to listen on Devers as far back as June. If so, he his $225 million remaining contract are sure to be on the block this winter.

Given how much of a nemesis Devers was to the Yankees (and to Gerrit Cole, specifically) during his time in Boston, one doubts whether the Yankees will be seriously interested. He's also not a can't-miss star at this point. Devers is still just 29, but rocking a .319 OBP and .788 OPS.

However, a powerful lefty will never not be an appealing target for the Yankees. If we end up seeing Devers in pinstripes hitting homers against the Red Sox in support of Cole, we'll have confirmation that we are living in the most chaotic timeline.

Doesn't Hurt to Ask: CF Mike Trout (LAA), CF Byron Buxton (MIN), 1B Bryce Harper (PHI), 1B Munetaka Murakami (CHW)

The Yankees will have an opening in center field once Trent Grisham files for free agency, so it especially makes sense to inquire on Trout and Buxton. Brian Cashman just shouldn't expect to get anywhere on either. Both are institutions with their respective teams, and neither has ever expressed interest in getting traded.

After what Dave Dombrowski said last year, Harper could be a different story. As a two-time MVP who can play first base and right field and who has a powerful left-handed swing, he's a perfect Yankees target on paper. Yet he also has 10-and-5 rights that allow him to block trades, so he's only going anywhere if he wants to even if the Philadelphia Phillies are willing to talk.

Murakami is a wild card. He's been a hit in his debut with the Chicago White Sox, cranking 29 homers in 95 games. He's only signed through 2027, though, so you wonder if the Pale Hose could entertain offers on the slugger if potential extension talks go nowhere.

Shoot Your Shot: C Hunter Goodman (COL), SS/2B CJ Abrams (WAS), SS Zach Neto (LAA), 2B Ketel Marte (ARI)

Goodman, Abrams and Neto were popular trade candidates before the trade deadline, and the Yankees were connected to at least two of them.

Because George Lombard Jr. has since taken over at shortstop, neither Abrams nor Neto is as good of a fit these days. Either could still hypothetically provide 20-20 upside at second base or third base, though, so it's best not to take them off the board altogether.

Out of all the names we've thrown out, Marte is the "buyer beware" option for the Yankees. He's a three-time All-Star who would fit well as a replacement for Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the field. But off the field, the disappearing act he's pulled recently would get him eaten alive in New York.

As such, Goodman remains the best fit for the Yankees. A catcher who can give you 30-homer seasons is a rare thing, and he isn't even a Coors Field product. This year, he has a .900 OPS and 19 of his 34 homers on the road.

Time for Some Predictions

What Becomes of Giancarlo Stanton?

Best guess: He won't be on the Yankees next year, but he won't retire either.

As Chris Kirschner of The Athletic notes, Stanton's remaining salary is "within the range that owner Hal Steinbrenner has been willing to absorb to move on from a player." He could therefore be comfortable with simply releasing Stanton, who would then have his pick of 29 other teams with whom to chase 500 homers.

Bold Prediction: Stanton ends up with the San Diego Padres and finishes with 470 career home runs.

Who (If Anyone) Will Replace Stanton in New York?

He's not the most interesting option for the Yankees, but Goodman is the right guy for them.

Unless they want to trust in Austin Wells' recent surge to a .571 OPS, upgrading at catcher needs to be a priority. There will also be more time to reason with the Colorado Rockies, who were reportedly pushing for No. 1 prospects in Goodman talks before the deadline.

Bold Prediction: Goodman goes to the Yankees for a package of SS Dax Kilby, RHP Carlos Lagrange.

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.