Apr 28, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) congratulates New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) after hitting home run against Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

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Yankees’ power deficiency would be exposed if Giancarlo Stanton is absent from lineup

Too much pressure on Aaron Judge?

Something about Giancarlo Stanton’s situation doesn’t add up even though that’s just how the Yankees have played out injuries lately.

Giancarlo Stanton, 35, dominated in the 2024 postseason, hitting seven home runs and driving in 16 runs while earning ALCS MVP honors. Now, just a few months later, he hasn’t swung a bat since mid-January due to tendinitis in both elbows. If this was an ongoing issue, why was it never mentioned during the season?

The Yankees initially said Stanton traveled to New York for a “personal matter,” only for reports to later confirm he did see team doctors. The shifting explanations and lack of transparency are classic Yankees behavior. What’s clear, though, is that Stanton is almost already ruled out for Opening Day, and his status beyond that remains a mystery – so much so that people are wondering if he’s considering retirement.

Yankees power takes a hit without Giancarlo Stanton

If Giancarlo Stanton misses significant time, the Yankees are staring at a major power deficit. Their projected 2025 lineup isn’t exactly overflowing with home run threats. A look at the projected 2025 Yankees lineup, based on 2024 home run totals:

Aaron Judge – 58 HR
Giancarlo Stanton – 27 HR
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 24 HR
Paul Goldschmidt – 22 HR
Cody Bellinger – 18 HR
Austin Wells – 13 HR
Anthony Volpe – 12 HR
Oswaldo Cabrera – 8 HR
Jasson Dominguez – 2 HR

That’s a lot of pressure on Aaron Judge, and the Yankees can’t just assume he’ll repeat last season’s insane production. Without Giancarlo Stanton, the lineup suddenly looks a lot less intimidating.

This is where Cody Bellinger and Jasson Dominguez have to step up. With Juan Soto now across town in a different uniform, the Yankees need them to bridge the gap.

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Dominguez, who burst onto the scene in 2023, is the betting favorite for AL Rookie of the Year in 2025. If he can live up to the hype and produce at a high level, it would go a long way in making up for Stanton’s potential absence. But so far, he’s shown some defensive struggles and hasn’t yet found his rhythm after an oblique injury sidelined him last season.

Bellinger, meanwhile, is just one year removed from a Silver Slugger and a top-10 MVP finish. If he can return to that form, he could provide some much-needed power and versatility, especially if Stanton is out for an extended period.

The Yankees are clearly shifting toward a team built on speed, defense, and smarter at-bats rather than just relying on brute power. That might work, but it’s a big gamble – one that depends on their younger players stepping up and veterans like Bellinger bouncing back.

Without Stanton, they’ll need everything to go right to avoid a serious drop-off in offensive production.

Aaron Judge

Giancarlo Stanton

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.