Yankees Trade Idea: Dumping $37 Million, Two-Time All-Star to Rival Orioles
The New York Yankees are at a crossroads. After a season that saw them miss the playoffs for the second time in three years, the Bronx Bombers are evaluating ways to retool their roster and get back into contention. One possible avenue for improving their future is a trade involving a high-salaried, underperforming player—specifically, a two-time All-Star whose contract is weighing heavily on the team’s financial situation.
Enter Giancarlo Stanton.
Stanton, who signed a 13-year, $325 million deal with the Miami Marlins in 2014 and was traded to the Yankees in December 2017, has seen his production decline in recent years. Despite flashes of brilliance, his injuries and inconsistencies at the plate have raised questions about his future in pinstripes. The Yankees, a team with a high payroll and limited flexibility, may look to dump his large contract to free up space for younger talent and more strategic signings.
While trading Stanton might seem unappealing to many fans and analysts, there’s a potential landing spot for him in the American League East: the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore is one of the league’s most intriguing up-and-coming teams, having built a promising core around young stars such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Cedric Mullins. The Orioles’ willingness to take on a high-priced player like Stanton could be part of their effort to accelerate their timeline, especially if they believe Stanton’s power could provide the final push needed to reach the postseason.
Here’s a breakdown of how such a trade could work, what it means for both teams, and why it might be in the best interests of the Yankees to entertain such an idea.
1. Giancarlo Stanton’s Contract and Performance
At the heart of this trade idea is Stanton’s contract, which is set to pay him $37 million in 2025, with $32 million in 2026, and a $25 million player option for 2027 (assuming he doesn’t opt out). For a team like the Yankees, which has high-profile contracts for players like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, keeping Stanton on the books at such a price is increasingly difficult, especially when he’s not performing at the MVP-caliber level that made him a star in Miami and in his first couple of seasons with the Yankees.
Since joining New York, Stanton has had his moments of brilliance, including a 38-homer season in 2018 and a solid year in 2021. However, his time with the Yankees has been marred by injury, and his overall numbers in recent seasons have dipped significantly. In 2024, Stanton’s slash line was .205/.294/.416 with 25 home runs and 80 RBIs—a far cry from the elite hitter he once was. His decline has been noticeable enough that many fans are wondering if the Yankees should move on and allocate his salary elsewhere.
2. The Orioles’ Need for Power
On the other side of the equation, the Baltimore Orioles are in a much different position. After years of rebuilding, they’ve become a serious contender in the American League. Their offense, led by a blend of emerging stars and solid veterans, was one of the league’s most potent in 2024. However, if they want to take the next step and compete with teams like the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays in the postseason, they’ll need to add more power to their lineup.
While the Orioles boast a balanced offense, they don’t have a true middle-of-the-order slugger like Stanton. Adding a player with his home run potential could be the final piece to a lineup that already includes names like Rutschman, Henderson, and Anthony Santander. The question remains, though—will Stanton be able to stay healthy enough to produce at the level the Orioles need? If he can stay on the field, he could provide the Orioles with a dangerous bat in the middle of their lineup, one that could help them compete in the highly competitive AL East.
3. Financial Considerations and the Orioles’ Flexibility
One of the key factors in this potential trade is the financial flexibility of the Orioles. As of now, they don’t have any major long-term financial commitments that would restrict their ability to absorb a contract like Stanton’s. While they’ve spent in recent years to bring in key players, their overall payroll is still relatively low compared to other contending teams, giving them the financial wiggle room to take on a contract of Stanton’s size.
For the Yankees, this trade could allow them to free up a significant portion of their payroll, especially considering that they may be looking to invest in other areas, such as pitching or depth for their lineup. Moving Stanton’s contract to a team like the Orioles, which has space to absorb it, could allow the Yankees to reallocate that money toward younger players, more efficient signings, or potentially an ace-level pitcher who could complement Gerrit Cole.
4. What the Yankees Could Receive in Return
The question, of course, is what the Yankees would get in return for Stanton. The Orioles would likely be hesitant to give up their best prospects in this trade, given their investment in building a young and talented core. However, there are a few potential trade packages that could benefit the Yankees while also providing Baltimore with the necessary incentive to take on Stanton’s salary.
One potential trade could involve the Yankees sending Stanton and a lesser prospect (perhaps someone like Oswaldo Cabrera or Estevan Florial) in exchange for a combination of major league-ready talent and minor league depth. A player like Ryan Mountcastle, who has shown power potential but may not fit into the long-term plans in Baltimore, could be an intriguing option for the Yankees. Mountcastle, a first baseman and corner outfielder, could provide a solid bat for the Yankees in the future while also being affordable. Another potential piece could be a promising pitcher like Grayson Rodriguez, who may be a bit unproven but has high upside.
For the Yankees, it’s not about acquiring an All-Star-caliber player in return, but rather alleviating their financial burden and freeing up space on their roster. The Orioles would likely be willing to part with younger talent, but they may also want to get creative in structuring the deal to minimize risk for both sides.
5. Strategic Impact for Both Teams
From a strategic standpoint, this trade could have significant ramifications for both teams. For the Yankees, unloading Stanton’s contract could allow them to pivot toward more cost-effective strategies. By moving his large salary, they could afford to sign multiple complementary pieces, whether that’s adding a key arm to their rotation or bolstering their bullpen.
On the other hand, for the Orioles, acquiring Stanton could send a message that they are serious about contending for a World Series. While Stanton’s injuries and inconsistency are a risk, he brings a power bat that could help carry Baltimore in the postseason. His experience in the playoffs could also be valuable for a team that is still learning how to handle the pressure of postseason baseball.
6. Potential Risks
The risks in this trade are significant, especially for Baltimore. Stanton’s health has been a major concern in recent years, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll return to his former level of production, even in a more hitter-friendly ballpark like Camden Yards. If Stanton continues to struggle or sustain injuries, the Orioles could be left with a massive contract and little production to show for it.
For the Yankees, the primary risk is letting go of a player with star potential, even if he hasn’t been able to consistently produce. Stanton’s raw power still makes him a dangerous hitter when healthy, and if he were to turn things around in Baltimore, the Yankees might regret the trade. However, the financial flexibility and ability to reallocate resources to other areas of the team likely outweigh the risk of keeping Stanton at his current salary.
