The new york yankees seemed to have found their next great slugger when rookie Aaron Judge dominated during the 2017 season. Winning the AL Rookie of the Year and coming in a close second place in the MVP race, Judge had arguably the greatest rookie season of all-time. He almost hit 60 home runs!

You would think this winter would be spent fine tuning some areas of need for a team that surprised many by making the playoffs. Instead, general manager Brian Cashman pulled off the trade of the winter and added 2017 NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. The phrase '"the rich get richer" has never been so appropriately applied.

Scary lineup

As if going through the Yankees' power hitting order wasn't hard enough last season. The addition of Stanton gives them another 50 plus home run hitter to further instill fear in pitchers across the league. The rise of other young stars like Didi Gregorious and Gary Sanchez make pitching around batters nearly impossible. Pitchers will simply have to choose their poison when trying to attack this lineup.

An underrated aspect of this trade is Yankee Stadium. Known as a hitters park, Stanton should feast on the short dimensions. He is coming from Miami which was one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the league to one that seems built for his hitting skills. It is not inconceivable to think that he could hit 70 home runs this year.

Gave up peanuts for an MVP

What is astounding is how badly Miami wanted to get rid of their franchise player. His salary is enormous, with 10 years and almost $300 million still to pay, but he is more than worth it. Miami has had an inability to put fans in the seats, even with a new ballpark, but that is hardly Stanton's fault.

Their attendance this year may be in the hundreds.

New York was able to pry him away with a package of Starlin Castro and two throw away prospects. Castro, a decent infielder, isn't exactly someone you can build a team around. The prospects likely won't be with the team too long either so this trade is ultimately looking like nothing more than a salary dump.

There is a provision that if Stanton does not opt out in three years and plays out the contract, then the Marlins will send $30 million to New York to go towards the salary. The fine print however shows that the payments wouldn't start until 2026. New Marlins owner Derek Jeter certainly played the frugal card on this one.

That's no way to treat the reigning MVP, but my guess is he is happy where he ended up.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED