New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is one of the most imposing power hitters in the MLB.
He has become known for his tape measure shots throughout his career.
However, Stanton signed a 13-year, $325 million contract in 2015 when he was with the Miami Marlins.
At the time, this was the longest in baseball history and set the precedent for contracts that came after.
Now, with him entering just the seventh year, there is no end in sight for his contract.
ANYTHING UNDER 1,000 FT IS A LIE.
GIANCARLO STANTON HIT THIS BASEBALL BACK TO NY.pic.twitter.com/jL83ZVykrR
— The Short Porch (@short_porch) October 7, 2020
In his previous two seasons with the Yankees, he has been limited by injury.
With this in mind, is Stanton overrated?
Can he still be considered one of the league’s best sluggers?
Here are three reasons the Yankees’ slugger may still be worth his lofty price tag and is not overrated.
1. When Healthy, He Produces
When Stanton is healthy, there is no denying his presence in the lineup.
At any given moment, he is a candidate to put runs up on the board.
He does this with one swing of the bat, better than most other players in the league.
While his health has limited him the past two seasons, he played nearly a full 162 games in 2017 and 2018.
Between these two years, Stanton hit a total of 97 home runs and 232 RBI.
Giancarlo Stanton finishes the year with 59 homers. Is he your NL MVP? pic.twitter.com/wSRsWfny8Q
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 1, 2017
This is production that he isn’t far removed from.
Within a primary designated hitter role, it would be reasonable to assume that Stanton may be able to stay healthy.
If he can, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to reach the same levels of production.
That is what it boils down to; Stanton is worth the money when he is on the field.
This is a subject that frustrates many Yankees fans.
He hasn’t proven the last couple of years that he can stay healthy, and that isn’t the best thing when a team is paying $26 million for him to play.
Now that Stanton is on the wrong side of 30, it will be interesting to see if he can avoid the injury bug next season.
2. He Is Getting Stronger
Stanton has always been known as a mammoth on the field.
However, he seemed to get even leaner in 2020.
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton hopes leaner frame helps him avoid injuries https://t.co/OwvEDAvH4G pic.twitter.com/J7NPJMPjJT
— New York Post (@nypost) August 3, 2020
While he did struggle with a hamstring injury this season, it could bode well for him in the future.
It is difficult for any play of his size to stay healthy.
Being leaner could extend his time on the field and make him more productive.
After all, it clearly didn’t impact his power output at all.
This could add longevity to his production and make his contract more worth it.
He has shown a desire to improve his health and become better, something that is a good sign for someone like Stanton.
3. Stanton Shined In 2020 Playoffs
Even though Stanton missed much of the 2020 regular season, he showed up in the playoffs.
He gave fans a glimpse at just how dominant of a player he could still be.
Giancarlo Stanton is in god mode right now.pic.twitter.com/bzk2ZWrf1o
— The Short Porch (@short_porch) October 8, 2020
In seven games, he hit six home runs and had 13 RBI.
While the Yankees lost to the Rays in the ALDS, Stanton was single-handedly carrying the offense at some points.
This was a man who played up to his $30 million per year contract.
It was a defining moment as a member of the Yankees for him and gave fans a lot of optimism going into 2021.
If this can continue, he will return to the level of play he was at just a few years ago.
It can be easy to look at his contract and think that he is overpaid.
Some may also believe that he is overrated because of the money he earns.
However, when he is on the field, he produces at that level.
The conversation will turn if his injury struggles continue, but until then he isn’t an overrated player.
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