Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton’s swift return post All-Star break, Boone confident in quick recovery

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone hinted that Giancarlo Stanton might be back in the lineup shortly after the All-Star break without needing a minor league rehab assignment, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Giancarlo Stanton to rejoin Yankees soon

Giancarlo Stanton landed on the injured list on June 23, following a hamstring injury during the Yankees’ 8-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on June 22. Since his departure, the Yankees’ offense has struggled, missing Stanton’s resurgent form that provided a significant presence behind Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the lineup.

With Judge and Soto often drawing walks in the second and third spots, Stanton had numerous RBI opportunities, which he capitalized on frequently. This dynamic contributed to the Yankees’ strong offensive performance in the early months of the season.

In 69 games this season, Giancarlo Stanton has posted a .246 batting average with a .302 on-base percentage, a .795 OPS, and 18 home runs, as noted by FanGraphs. His performance, marked by a 124 wRC+, indicates he has been 24% above the league average in hitting. Though not at his peak form, Stanton’s rebound season was fueled by weight loss and offseason adjustments.

Giancarlo Stanton’s advanced metrics are equally impressive. According to Baseball Savant, his expected slugging percentage, average exit velocity, bat speed, barrel rate, and hard-hit rate are all in the 95th percentile. His xwOBA, a predictive stat, sits in the 84th percentile, suggesting his performance is sustainable.

The hope is that Giancarlo Stanton will quickly readjust to major league pitching. While skipping a rehab assignment could lead to some initial struggles, the Yankees are optimistic that his hamstring won’t impede his return, allowing him to regain his pre-injury form.

Yankees’ trade deadline strategy

The Yankees have been in a significant slump over the past month, largely due to the inconsistent performances of their starting rotation, particularly Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon.

Despite these struggles, it seems unlikely, according to outlets, that General Manager Brian Cashman will prioritize starting pitching at the trade deadline. Instead, the focus is expected to be on addressing infield and bullpen deficiencies.

The underwhelming performances of DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Anthony Rizzo (prior to his injury) have left gaps in the infield. Ben Rice has admirably filled in for Rizzo, potentially securing a more permanent role at first base. However, the Yankees are likely to seek a versatile infielder capable of playing both second and third base.

In the bullpen, New York needs left-handed relievers and pitchers who can generate strikeouts at a high rate.

While Stanton’s and Clarke Schmidt’s returns will bolster the team, the Yankees still require additional reinforcements to remain competitive. The upcoming trade deadline will be crucial for addressing these needs and ensuring the Yankees are well-equipped for the postseason push.

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