5 Red Sox Who Are Better Than Giancarlo Stanton

Giancarlo Stanton has had a rough start to life in the Bronx. Stanton joined the Yankees the offseason following his stellar 2017 MVP campaign and hasn't been able to replicate anything close in his two seasons with the team. The situation becomes even worse when you take into consideration Stanton's monster contract, where he's set to make $230 million through 2028.

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The Red Sox should be counting their blessings that they didn't add Stanton when he was available in 2017. At this point, they have quite a few players that are simply better than Stanton.

5. Christian Vazquez

Christian Vazquez had a breakout season in 2019. / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Christian Vazquez surprised everyone with an extremely solid year in 2019. Up to that point, the catcher never hit more than five home runs in a season and had a combined average of .241 in his first four seasons in the MLB. He broke out in 2019, launching 23 home runs and driving in 72 RBI. If he can build off of this when the season gets going, he could be one of the best catchers in the AL. That's certainly more valuable on a dirt-cheap deal than an outfielder who plays, like, eight games a year.

4. Andrew Benintendi

Andrew Benintendi has shown that he has what it takes to be a star. / Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Although he wasn't stellar in 2019, at 25, Andrew Benintendi still has a ton of room to grow within the next few years. He has already proved he has what it takes to be a reliable middle of the order guy for the Sox, but just didn't have it last season. In his first three years in the majors, Benintendi hit for a combined average of .285, adding 38 home runs. If he can get back to being that player, he will be a big part of the Red Sox lineup for years to come. In 2018, Benintendi beat out Stanton in WAR, which says a lot, considering Stanton hit 38 home runs and piled on 100 RBI.

3. Xander Bogaerts

Xander Bogaerts offers so much for the Red Sox. / Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Red Sox fans have seen Xander Bogaerts blossom into a superstar over the past two years. Bogaerts was a huge part of their 2018 World Series winning team, batting .288 with 23 home runs and 103 RBI. In 2019, he was even better, improving every part of his game, batting .309 with 33 home runs and 117 RBI. At this point, it's not even a question if he is better than Stanton. These two players are miles apart and the stats prove it. Bogaerts does so much more for the Red Sox than Stanton does for the Yankees.

2. J.D. Martinez

J.D. Martinez was huge for the Red Sox in 2018. / Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

The Sox clearly made the correct decision in 2018, passing up on Stanton and opting for Martinez. Obviously, Martinez had a monster season in 2018 and was one of the main reasons they took home a World Series title. Martinez has a 9.9 WAR in his two seasons with the Sox, which trounces Stanton's 4.7. Granted, Stanton was injured for the majority of last season, but when he did play, there was nothing that would suggest he'd challenge Martinez in WAR.

1. Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers will be the next Red Sox superstar. / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

At 23, Rafael Devers may already be the Red Sox best player. In 2019, he led the majors in total bases and was in contention for the batting title down the stretch. He also made major strides in terms of power, hitting 32 home runs last season. Devers' progression for his age is already incredible, and as he gains more experience he'll soon become one of the league's best players. Moving forward, Devers will be the guy for the Sox when it matters most.