Status of Giancarlo Stanton

Stanton is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. While the team has a club option following the 2027 season, at this point it seems unlikely they would pick it up.

GM Brian Cashman was asked what Stanton's status with the club is following what was essentially a lost season for the slugger, and the longtime exec was seemingly optimistic about what Stanton can bring. But he said there were discussions that need to be had this offseason.

"He finished the season healthy, so he enters the winter healthy," Cashman said. "We know what he’s capable of when he is healthy. We look forward to seeing if we can deploy a healthy version of him next year. But obviously, that DH spot is up for grabs for other people that could benefit from it at the same time. We’ll have those conversations."

Stanton played in just 24 games after suffering two separate calf strains during the regular season. In that short span, he hit .256 with an OPS of .724 to go along with three home runs and 14 RBI.

The Yankees owe Stanton $25 million for 2027 -- $15 million if you count what the Marlins are on the hook for -- but that hasn't stopped the organization from DFA'ing other notable veterans once their most productive years are over.

Cashman wouldn't reveal what the organization is thinking at this moment, but hopes Stanton can be a realistic option for the team in 2026.

"G is a very accountable, responsible, wired-correctly, professional athlete. It destroyed him that he wasn’t available to us to try to help us, impact us in a positive way," Cashman said. "He continues to fight through it, as someone who is wired right should. His leadership in there is not in question. His care factor is not in question, just obviously, keeping him on the field so he can help us in that win column. It was a huge problem for us, especially in 2026.

"I can’t tell you how this roster is going to shake out as we enter this winter and assess what is available for us. I hope he becomes a legitimate choice once again for Aaron Boone to play with when he puts lineups together on a daily basis. But we’ll see."

Stanton was healthy enough to make the Wild Card and ALDS rosters. He had two pinch-hit at-bats and struck out both times.

Luis Garcia Jr. at 2B?

As the Yankees assess their roster this winter, there is a noticeable hole in second base.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. will hit the free agent market and it seems the infielder will not be back in pinstripes. Is there a possibility that Garcia could slide in to play second base? Boone said there is, but gave the caveat that potential winter additions could affect the team's thinking on that front.

"He’s played second base a lot in his career prior to this season. Just watching him move and take ground balls and throw, he’s got a lot of infielder qualities to him. It’s possible," Boone said. " Never know how the winter is going to shape out. It’s at least possible that it could be a part of the equation."

Boone was asked about Garcia potentially playing third base, but didn't seem keen on the idea, despite not ruling it out.

Garcia has played 508 games (480 starts) at second base in his career but has had a negative OAA in four of his six seasons playing the position.

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