Is Yankees’ $98 million slugger doing enough to keep his job?

The New York Yankees clinched a solid 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday evening, showcasing their offensive prowess and strong pitching performance from Carlos Rodon. The team racked up 13 hits, including a notable home run that contributed significantly to their win.

Stanton’s Struggles and Momentary Triumph

Amidst the team’s overall success, Giancarlo Stanton, a slugger who has been inconsistent this season, managed to shine briefly by securing two hits and an RBI. His highlight of the game was a 427-foot solo home run to left-center in the third inning. Despite this success, Stanton’s performance has been a topic of concern over the past three years, with his role in the team increasingly being questioned.

The 34-year-old veteran, no longer viable as an outfielder, has been relegated to the role of designated hitter. Last season, he batted just .191 with a .275 on-base percentage, marking the first time his weighted runs created plus (wRC+) fell below 100.

Despite efforts in the offseason to address his flaws and recapture some of his previous MVP-level performance, Stanton’s struggles have persisted into this year. Over the first 37 games, he has posted a .236/.287/.471 slash line, with nine homers and 21 RBIs. While his home runs have kept him in the lineup, his career-high strikeout rate of 34% and a declining walk rate of 6.7% are concerning, with his on-base percentage remaining below 30% for the third consecutive year.