Yankees Giancarlo Stanton is the Anti-Cliff Lee

The New York Yankees trade for Giancarlo Stanton reshaped the baseball landscape. But it is the reason he is on the team that should be equally exciting to Yankees’ fans.

The New York Yankees. Those words resonate through the history of the sport, and history itself; names such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter spring to mind. And the number 27.

If the franchise were to be summed up in one word, it would probably be, winning. Just as much as the Cubbies and Red Sox were known as lovable losers for decades, the Yankees are still known as a team of World Series victories, and baseball’s only true dynasties.

That might be a pleasant fate to have, but the team is still shackled to it. When the Yankees win, it’s a bigger story. The same is true when they lose, which is how it should be. Now, this goes for failing in any aspect of the game.

For instance, back in 2010, LHP Cliff Lee was one of the best pitchers in the game. And a free agent.

Serendipitously, the Yankees had the most money to spend. So, naturally, most observers assumed Lee would sign with the Bombers.

If you want a reminder of what that time was like, please read any of the stories that assumed Shohei Ohtani would also join the boys from the Bronx.

August Turns to Fall

Instead, on December 10th of 2010, Lee signed with his heartfelt favorite, the Philadelphia Phillies. This was back in the time when top free agents still signed before January.

Lee took less money, but he had good reasons. First, he loved the city, and it loved him. Plus, his wife had felt disrespected at a Yankees game. Those are excellent reasons, and everyone should stand up for the people they love.

However, those were not the deciding factors. And the single most significant reason flew in the face of Yankees’ expectations and was an affront to Yankees’ fans.