Since the start of the offseason the Miami Marlins, led by a new ownership group, have had Giancarlo Stanton on the trading block. The decision is driven by the Marlins’ desire to slash their payroll heading into the 2018 season.
The possibility of trading Stanton is a difficult proposition because of his contract and full no-trade clause. The 28-year-old is owed $295 million over the next 10 seasons in a deal that includes an opt-out clause after the 2020 season.
Furthermore, it’s unclear which teams Stanton would approve a trade to. There’s a sense he has a preference of joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, but whether they’d assume Stanton and his remaining contract is hardly a given.
While the Marlins are forced to work around their slugger’s veto power, they warned other players would be traded, leaving Stanton with a barren roster, per Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald:
According to two sources with knowledge of discussions, the Marlins informed Stanton in October that if he refused to waive his no-trade rights and accept a trade, he would remain a Marlin and team officials would look to trade off other top players to reduce payroll.
In addition to Stanton, it’s believed the Marlins are also open to trading Dee Gordon and Martin Prado. They’re owed a combined $24 million next season, which is shy of the $25 million Stanton is set to earn.
As the Stanton trade saga lingers on, some clubs a believe a resolution may be reached by the start of the Winter Meetings on Sunday, Dec. 10. That’s either with a trade once and for all being reached, or teams electing to carry forward with other offseason roster needs.
