With a new ownership group in place, the Miami Marlins appear poised to significantly slash their payroll for the 2018 season. One means by which that may be accomplished is trading Giancarlo Stanton, though he holds the power to veto any deal.
Further complicating a potential trade is Stanton’s exorbitant contract. He’s owed $295 million over the next 10 years, but can opt out after the 2020 season. However, that would entail the All-Star slugger walking away from a guaranteed $218 million.
Stanton being on the trading block — at least in some regard — has led to multiple teams contacting the Marlins to explore a possible trade.
Among those, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are perceived as the favorites to reach a deal with the Marlins, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball:
The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants remain the perceived favorites in the Giancarlo Stanton Derby, but sources say that at least seven teams here have shown some level of interest in Stanton, who hit 59 home runs to lead MLB, may win the N.L. MVP and is the talk of the early winter as the best player on the block.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers do not appear to be active participants in Stanton trade talks:
The other teams aren’t known to this point, but word is that the Dodgers, another logical possibility, hadn’t checked in as of yet.
It’s unclear whether Stanton would approve a trade to the Cardinals or Giants. The general assumption is he would welcome a return to Los Angeles with open arms. Stanton grew up in the area and attended Dodgers games throughout his youth.
The 28-year-old hit .281/.376/.631 with 32 doubles, 59 home runs and 132 RBI. He led the Majors in home runs and RBI. Stanton was named the Hank Aaron Award winner as the top offensive player in the National League, and he won a Silver Slugger.
