During the weeks the Miami Marlins have had Giancarlo Stanton on the trade block, the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals largely emerged as the top suitors for the 2017 National League MVP.
Early indications suggested the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies were also among the teams to hold some degree of trade talks with the Marlins. Moving Stanton is no easy task, both because of his large contract and full no-trade clause.
In the case of the Cardinals and Red Sox, it was reported Stanton would not approve a trade to either club. His preferences are believed to play for a contender and return to the West Coast.
Nonetheless, the Cardinals joined the Giants in meeting with Stanton and his representatives in Los Angeles over the weekend. It was reported Stanton would be more inclined to approve a trade to the Giants ahead of the Cardinals.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Marlins reached trade agreements with the Cardinals and Giants, putting the ball in Stanton’s court:
Sources: #Marlins have agreed to general framework of Giancarlo Stanton trades with both #STLCards and #SFGiants; the deals are on hold, while Marlins wait for Stanton to inform them whether he’d accept either trade. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 3, 2017
The Marlins reportedly are focused on salary relief as opposed to receiving a significant haul in return for Stanton. With the Giants, Miami was said to have focused in on four prospects, none of which are considered elite.
However, indications are the Giants are willing to assume responsibility for the majority of the $295 million remaining on Stanton’s contract. The Dodgers continue to be mentioned in trade talks with the Marlins, but they aren’t believed to have gained much traction.
