A Move To Replace Stanton's Right-handed Bat

In a move that says as much about Giancarlo Stanton’s mysterious injury status as it does about the Yankees’ growing urgency, the Bronx Bombers slid Stanton to the 60-day injured list — and in doing so, opened up a 40-man roster spot for a potentially savvy addition: Bryan De La Cruz.

Now let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t some blockbuster splash, but make no mistake — this is a clever, forward-thinking roster play by Brian Cashman and company. De La Cruz, recently cut loose by the Braves, was claimed off waivers and immediately stashed in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. For now. But don’t expect him to stay there long.

Why? Because the Yankees suddenly have a hole on the roster where Stanton’s bat used to be, and De La Cruz just so happens to bring the one thing they need — right-handed power. He’s no superstar, but he’s quietly popped 40 homers over the past two seasons, split between Miami and Pittsburgh. And while he’s struggled this year with a.192 in 50 plate appearances with Atlanta, the raw tools are there in my opinion. Meanwhile Jasson Domínguez is currently batting .100, but with pop. If the Yankees want to platoon wisely, this is the guy to pair with The Martian.

Let’s not pretend this is a coincidence. The Yankees know Domínguez is the future, but they also know the present requires balance. De La Cruz offers a potentially steady, veteran hand from the right side — and unlike a lot of waiver-wire fliers, this one has real upside.

Meanwhile, the Stanton situation? Call it weird. Call it cloudy. Just don’t call it encouraging. The official line is that the move to the 60-day IL doesn’t change his timeline — but functionally, it does. The earliest he can return is now May 24, and even that feels optimistic. If you’re asking for an honest read? Don’t hold your breath until July. Maybe later. This whole saga has the vague scent of something being quietly managed behind the scenes. The Yankees are saying little, which usually means there’s more going on than meets the eye.

And that’s what makes the De La Cruz move so smart. It’s low-risk, potentially high-reward, and — most importantly — it shows the Yankees are staying aggressive and adaptive. They didn’t sit on their hands and wait for Stanton to “magically” return. They saw a bat with upside sitting out there and pounced. That’s the kind of move good teams make while the stars heal and the calendar creeps toward summer.

So yes, De La Cruz might not be the long-term answer. He might not even stick. But he’s a live bat, a righty who can crush lefties, and he gives the Yankees options in an outfield that suddenly needs them. 

So, I say good move. This is the kind of quietly effective front office maneuver that pays dividends in August, not April.