When New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton’s 2020 season comes to a close, he will officially make one of the easiest decisions in his life regarding his contract.
Stanton, who signed a 13-year, $325 million contract with the Miami Marlins in 2014, holds an opt-out clause following the 2020 season that allows him to become a free agent. While he has months to make the decision, the 30-year-old already knows exactly what he’ll be doing.
Giancarlo Stanton won’t exercise opt-out clause in contract
Stanton became one of the highest-paid players in MLB history following the 2014 season after signing a $325 million extension with the Marlins. Coming off the third All-Star appearance in his career, he looked like one of the game’s brightest stars.
During his NL MVP season in 2017 with Miami, Stanton earned $14.5 million as part of the extension. On the verge of owing him $25 million the following year, the Marlins traded him to the Yankees along with cash considerations for infielder Starlin Castro and two minor-league players.
As Stanton’s soared, he has missed more time with injuries in New York. Now, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, Stanton is set to opt-in on the remainder of his contract.
Stanton will be owed $29 million next season and in 2022, with the figure set to rise even further as he gets older. In his age-33 season, Stanton will be owed $32 million and it will remain his annual salary through 2025. He will then be owed $29 million in 2026, followed by $25 million in 2027 as a 37-year-old player. The Yankees can exercise a $10 million buyout clause in 2028, saving them $15 million.
Since joining the Yankees, Stanton has played in 197 games across three seasons. During that time, he hit 45 home runs with 123 RBIs and a .267 batting average. He hasn’t received an All-Star selection since he won NL MVP in 2017.