Phillies: A case study of previous $200+million hitters
By Josh Starr
In 2014, the Miami Marlins extended Giancarlo Stanton for a pretty decent sum of money.
The contract: 13 years, $325 million
More from That Balls Outta Here
- How will Rob Thomson manage the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2023?
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
- 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
How it worked out: Stanton’s first two seasons with the contract went well in Miami, but he missed a lot of time due to injury. He hit 54 home runs and knocked in 141 runs in 193 games. He almost matched that BRI total in 2017.
Last year, Stanton’s .281 average, 59 home runs, and 132 RBI earned him the NL MVP award. Under new ownership, Stanton wanted out of Miami and the reigning NL MVP was traded to the Yankees before the 2018 season.
In his first season with the Yankees, he hit .266 with 38 home runs and 100 RBI. His regular season was great, but his 2018 and the rest of his contract will be decided by the Yankees’ postseason success.
They’ve already won the Wild Card game. Throughout this contract, Stanton will earn his money in the playoffs.
The Phillies need to make at least one big signing. They have the money to make both if they want to. The big contract will probably hurt the team in the latter years of the deal, but the dividends in the beginning will be well worth it.