TORONTO, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 05: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out during the second inning in game two of the American League Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on October 05, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees have spent much of the 2026 season dealing with injuries to some of the biggest names on their roster. While Aaron Judge’s health has recently dominated headlines, the club has also been waiting for the return of veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
Stanton has remained sidelined for much of the season, but recent reports suggest progress could be coming. With the Yankees attempting to remain in the American League playoff picture despite a growing list of injuries, his return would provide a significant boost to the lineup.
“While Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge was waiting for second-opinion results on his bruised rib Wednesday afternoon, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf strain) and left fielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder AC joint strain) took a step toward coming off the injury list,†NJ.com’s Randy Miller reported. “Stanton has missed 35 games since he injured his right calf jogging from first to second base during a Jazz Chisholm walk during an April 24 game in Houston.â€
New York Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton Could Become Miami Marlins' Payroll Leader After A Sandy Alcantara Trade
And while Stanton continues his recovery in New York, a new trade-deadline report has unexpectedly placed his name back in the spotlight in Miami, where he emerged as a dominant slugger earlier in his career.
As Stanton's old team struggles toward the bottom of the National League East standings, it could be headed toward seller status at the upcoming trade deadline. And in that case, it seems Stanton could once again become the top dog on the franchise's payroll.
“Beyond (Sandy) Alcantara and closer Pete Fairbanks, the Marlins’ next-highest-paid player is Giancarlo Stanton, who last played for them in 2017,†Jeff Passan noted for ESPN. “There is a legitimate chance that after the deadline, Stanton tops the list. Now would seem to finally be the time for Miami to move Alcantara, who remains somewhat anomalous with a fastball that sits at 98 mph and a strikeout rate that ranks 67th of 72 qualified starters.â€
New York Yankees Slugger Giancarlo Stanton Gets $10 Million From Former Team After Trade
The scenario stems from the financial obligations that remained after Stanton’s blockbuster trade to New York nearly a decade ago.
In late 2017, news surfaced that the Yankees had acquired Stanton in exchange for infielders Starlin Castro and Jose Devers and pitcher Jorge Guzman. As part of the transaction, the Marlins remained on the hook for $30 million of the $295 million remaining on Stanton's 13-year contract.
This season, that means the team is paying $10 million of their former players' salary in retained payroll. It owes Stanton another $10 million in each of the next two seasons and, as Passan noted, that could be their largest single financial obligation if they trade away Alcantara as is widely expected this year.
