Giancarlo Stanton Update Provided by Yankees' Cashman Amid Latest Rumors After Injury-Filled 2026

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters at this year's GM meetings in Las Vegas that designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton will remain with the team this offseason and enter spring training with the Bronx Bombers as well.

When healthy, Stanton has been one of MLB's greatest power hitters over his 17-year career, smacking 456 homers overall, including an MLB-high 59 for the 2017 Miami Marlins. Since joining the Yankees in 2018, Stanton has had a per-162 game average of 40 home runs.

However, injuries have unfortunately sidelined Stanton on-and-off during his career. The 37-year-old was notably held to 77 games in 2025 and 24 contests in 2026. Last year's absences were due to right and left calf strains.

The hope, of course, is that Stanton can finally enjoy a relatively healthy season and contribute power that this team needs.

The Yankees' offensive success has long been predicated on the home run, but only one player hit 20 or more homers for New York last year (first baseman Ben Rice, 41). Stanton can do that with ease and in fact hit 24 homers in just 77 games in 2025.

As far as Stanton's contract goes, the Yankees are on the hook for $15 million in 2027. They can decline their club option on him in 2028 and pay a $10 million buyout.

It may just make sense for the Yankees to keep Stanton for one more year and hope for the best.

Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors had this to say on Stanton.

"Based on pure finances, therefore, the Yankees may feel emboldened to take a $15MM flier on Stanton to see what he has left in the tank.  We're just a year removed from his impressive 2025 season, of course, and two years removed from ALCS MVP performance in 2024.  Though he maybe just didn't have enough time to get on one of his signature hot streaks this year, recent evidence suggests that when Stanton gets rolling, he can still be as dangerous as any hitter in baseball."

It would perhaps be unwise to pencil Stanton in as the starting designated hitter at this point considering the litany of injuries he's dealt with, but having him as a bat off the bench for pinch-hit situations or as an occasional DH could be the move.