True or false...
1. Giancarlo played his first two MLB seasons under the name "Mike."
2. In the recent world series, Giancarlo - our most dangerous slugger - batted just .238.
3. Over his illustrious 15-year career, through age 34, his statistical doppelganger is Edwin Encarnacion.
4. In the recent postseason, Giancarlo picked up his only stolen base of 2024.
5. Over his entire career, on full counts - 3 and 2 - he's a .200 hitter.
6. Over his career, with two outs and runners in scoring position, he's at .246.
7. Throughout his career, the team he has most punished is the Colorado Rockies.
8. The Yankees have him under contract for four more years.
9. Beginning in 2026, the Miami Marlins will annually kick in $10 million of Giancarlo's salary.
10. In 2028, when he's 38, the Yankees will have a $10 million buyout option.
All of the above are true. Now, essay question: Debate this statement into April.
The Yankees should not expect much from Stanton in 2025.
Aw, shoot. Forget that question.. I don't wanna pick on Giancarlo. Frankly, I've come to like the guy. His teammates certainly do. You could see it all season, in their mannerisms. Yeah, he's fragile. But nobody's ever accused him of dogging an injury. We can make numbers jump through hoops, but Stanton's towering presence was our best hope in October. He hit seven HRs, four against Cleveland in the ALCS. Whenever he came up to bat, I came out from behind the couch. And when he hit one, fukkinay, that ball stayed hat.
But, realistically, what can the Yankees expect in 2025?
For the last two months of 2024, the guy couldn't run. Remember him in the world series, straining to score from third, thrown out easily? Remember the DP fears, if he hit a grounder? You can go with a hobbled DH in a seven five game series. You can't over a full season.
So, this winter, as we wonder what to expect from Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt - relevant questions, indeed - the biggest question mark, by far, is the guy who will slot in behind them. Can Giancarlo run? If not, can he even play? Because remove his bat from our lineup, and the Yankee DH becomes - well - Betty White. So, do we still wanna sit out the bidding on Alex Bregman?
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