Giancarlo Stanton explains his Yankees dream: ‘Feel sorry for the baseballs’
Giancarlo Stanton said he had the Yankees “on top of his list” that he gave to the Marlins.
That became reality on Monday when the deal sending him to The Bronx became official. He explained why the Yankees were one of his desired destinations at his introductory press conference at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
“Watching them from afar, their young, dynamic group and the way they flow together,” Stanton said. “The atmosphere, storied franchise. There’s not much reason why I wouldn’t want to be there.”
Stanton and Aaron Judge both play right field, and new manager Aaron Boone will have to come up with an outfield rotation that right now also would include Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks, with Clint Frazier on the outskirts. Stanton said he and the team have not discussed what the plan will be, but he is open to whatever would help the team.
Stanton said he did speak with Judge over the weekend after it became clear Stanton to the Yankees was happening.
“We respect each other’s game and had fun at the Home Run Derby,” Stanton said. “We spoke a couple of days ago, excited to work together, learn from each other and make each other better.”
Boone and Judge could hit back to back in the lineup.
“I feel sorry for the baseballs, too,” Judge said on the YES Network. “It’ll be a good dynamic. We are going to be tough, it’s going to be hard to get through us all. They are going to have their work cut out for them.”
The Yankees are hoping the reigning National League MVP could be the key piece that turns them from a playoff team to a World Series champion.
“The team, the dynamic,” Stanton said. “They strike from everywhere. they are well-balanced, hungry. They got close enough this year, but hopefully with my addition we will be a better team. We are going to perform. I want to make this team better.”