The New York Yankees, like every other MLB team, are already planning their 2023 season.
Their 2022 exit was a painful one, as they were swept by the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
That, however, is giving them motivation to put together the best possible team on the field next year.
They are currently very busy making roster decisions and mapping out their free agency and offseason as a whole.
That didn’t stop them, however, from wishing happy birthday to one of the stars of the roster.
“Happy Birthday Big G!! Have a bash, @Giancarlo818,” they wrote on their official Twitter account with a cool picture of Stanton smiling.
Happy Birthday Big G!! Have a bash, @Giancarlo818 🎉🎂🥳 pic.twitter.com/K7P1MG70xr
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 8, 2022
Offense was a problem for the Yankees down the stretch and in the postseason.
Stanton had been recovering from an Achilles injury that ruined his second half, so if they want to return to relevancy and see their offense get back to life, they need Stanton healthy and in form.
This is especially true if the Yankees can’t retain free agent Aaron Judge.
Prodigious Power
When he is at his best, only one man can hit the ball as hard as Stanton in MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz.
Stanton could perennially hit 35 homers per year if it wasn’t for health issues.
He has been with the Yankees five seasons, three of which he was mostly healthy for the majority of the year.
He has surpassed 30 homers in all three, including 31 in just 110 games last year.
Had he played closer to 150, he could have pushed for 40.
That’s the kind of power he has.
Now that he turned 33, the Yankees are expected to take care of Stanton’s body to keep him healthy.
He is an important part of the roster and the 2023 campaign will be big for him.
NEXT: The Yankees Still Lead A Surprising Postseason List