Yankees slugger looks very slim at spring training with hopes to be ‘more mobile’ in 2024

Coming off a career-worst season, New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton knew he needed to make a big change this offseason heading into 2024.

That change was on full display as he reported to Yankees’ spring training in Tampa Bay, as Stanton looked very slim compared to his usual, muscular stature.

When Stanton reported to the Yankees’ spring training in Tampa Bay, it was evident how much he had changed from his typical, bulky build.

That is not to say that Stanton, who has hit 402 home runs in his 14-year MLB career, won’t have any more big hits this season. However, according to The New York Post, he purposefully changed his look this summer because he desired a “more movement-based” build.

When asked why he underwent this physical transformation, Stanton replied, “Be a baseball player again.” “I simply needed to move around more. The previous season’s numerous difficulties prevented me from progressing as I would have liked.”

Stanton would not disclose his weight at this time, but at 6-foot-6, he must weigh less than 245 pounds this season. Although he claimed to have increased his running throughout the offseason, his physical prowess goes beyond appearances.

AFTER MISSING OUT, MLB GREAT GARY SHEFFIELD RIPS THE HALL OF FAME VOTING PROCESS: “A LOT OF IT IS POLITICS

According to The Post, Stanton mentioned that he will also be implementing “some changes” to his right-side of the plate swing. The 2017 NL MVP played in 101 games last season, hitting a career-low.191 with a.275 on-base percentage—a performance he admittedly felt was insufficient for an underperforming Yankees squad.

Stanton, who is 34 years old, is aware that he must perform well for a club that is vying for a World Series, which they haven’t participated in since winning it all in 2009.

“If you don’t produce, there’s going to be adjustments and ways, in any aspects, to make the lineup as optimal as possible,” Stanton said. “So, it’s my job to do that.”

Stanton’s size is also a result of the numerous injuries he has suffered in previous years. Even when he made a comeback to the diamond in the previous season, a hamstring ailment appeared to be impeding his performance.g Joggin from second base on a base hit, he was memorably thrown out at home plate during a day game at Yankee Stadium.

Even GM Brian Cashman understands that, at this point in his career, injuries in the lower body are going to happen to Stanton. “He’s going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game,” Cashman said this offseason, per The Post. Whether Stanton likes that remark from Cashman doesn’t seem to matter when he has dealt with long injury stints since becoming a Yankee in 2018. But a new year brings a new opportunity, one Stanton is determined to make the best of. “I’m here to produce and help us win a championship,” he said. “That hasn’t happened and it needs to.”