The New York Yankees formally announced their trade for Giancarlo Stanton, sending Starlin Castro and prospects Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers to the Miami Marlins. Reports indicate the Yankees will also receive $30 million, but only if Stanton does not opt out of his contract after the 2020 season.
Stanton waived his full no-trade clause to pave the way for the deal to become official. He previously vetoed trades the Marlins agreed to with the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
That was followed by a report Stanton would not approve a trade unless it was to his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros or Yankees.
While the Dodgers were among the teams with reported interest in the reigning National League MVP, it’s not believed trade talks with the Marlins gained much traction.
That in some part was due to the Dodgers’ reluctance to assume the bulk of Stanton’s remaining contract. In effort to offset that factor, the Dodgers reportedly offered the Marlins better prospects than other suitors.
But the Marlins prioritized salary relief as opposed to their haul in a trade for Stanton, hence reaching agreements with the Cardinals, Giants and Yankees.
With Brett Gardner and Judge taking up the corner outfield spots for the majority of 2017, the Yankees will most likely rotate with Stanton between those two spots and designated hitter.
Stanton (59) and Judge (52) were the only two players in baseball to hit more than 50 home runs last season. They will now look to becomes the first teammates to do so since Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in 1961.
