Designated hitter and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton wasn't the middle-of-the-lineup force the Yankees envisioned in his first year in the Bronx.
Of course, the 33 home runs and 100 RBI he produced were far from shabby, and he helped carry the offense when a fractured wrist sidelined Aaron Judge for more than a month. But for the $25 million he was making, and after winning the 2017 National League MVP, his performance didn't meet lofty expectations.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes the 28-year-old slugger will "take a big step forward" in 2019, and Boone explained why.