The agent of New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton heeded a warning to any potential free agent looking to join the team after general manager Brian Cashman’s comments concerning his client.
Cashman said at last week’s GM Meetings that Stanton is ‘going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game,’ while admitting that the slugger’s mobility needs to improve.
“We’ve gotta get Stanton up and running again,” Cashman said. “He’s injury-prone. We all have lived and known that, but he’s never not hit when he’s playing, and this year is the first time that that’s happened.”
Stanton, who still is owed $98 million over the next four years of his contract, hit a career-low .191 with 24 home runs and 60 RBI in 101 games last season. He also set career lows in slugging and OPS.
Stanton’s agent Joel Wolfe responded in a statement to The Athletic.
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‘I read the context of the entire interview,’ Wolfe said. ‘I think it’s a good reminder for all free agents considering signing in New York, both foreign and domestic, that to play for that team you’ve got to be made of Teflon, both mentally and physically because you can never let your guard down even in the offseason.’
Wolfe is also representing Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the top players available this winter with the Yankees expected to be a top suitor for the 25-year-old.