Unfortunately, injuries are to be expected for New York Yankees star designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton at this point.
Many felt it was harsh when general manager Brian Cashman made that very point before the 2024 season, but he was proven right when Stanton eventually appeared in just 114 games–his highest total since 2021.
Over the weekend, the Yankees confirmed that Stanton is dealing with significant pain in both elbows, which manager Aaron Boone compared to tennis elbow. His status for Opening Day is currently unknown.
The Yankees can count on Stanton to hit a bunch of home runs when healthy and to be a menace in the postseason, where he owns a .994 career OPS. But they seem to be depending on him more than usual for offensive production entering the 2025 regular season.
With Stanton’s iffy health in mind, Athlon Sports’ Jake Elman recently proposed a hypothetical trade that would bring New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Starling Marte to the Bronx for starting pitcher Allen Facundo and catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores.
“Marte almost exclusively played right field in 2024, which keeps new Yankee Cody Bellinger in center field,” Elman wrote. “That outfield alignment allows the Yankees to give Aaron Judge regular at-bats as a designated hitter.”
“If adding Marte to the lineup is the last piece needed to capture a second straight pennant, the Yankees must call their crosstown rivals in the coming weeks.”
Marte, 36, slashed .269/.327/.388 in 94 games last season. He’s owed $20.75 million in this final season of his Mets contract, which the Yankees could likely get their crosstown rivals to pay down to a lesser sum.
While trading for Marte is by no means a perfect solution, the Yankees should at least consider the possibility, especially if Stanton appears to be headed for a lengthy absence. He’s a useful bat to have on hand for platoon purposes as well.
More MLB: Mets suggested as trade landing spot for $50 million All-Star outfielder
