While MLB free agency is in full swing, perhaps the biggest player available — both in size and prominence — is Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. That’s in spite of his is still being owed $295 million over the next 10 seasons.
That doesn’t fit with the Marlins’ plans moving forward, as their new ownership group is looking to shed payroll heading into 2018. A player of Stanton’s caliber certainly comes with interest from clubs throughout the league.
Thus far, that’s primarily consisted of the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are also a team that can get in the Stanton sweepstakes, although it doesn’t appear to be a likely scenario at present time.
Beyond the hurdle of moving Stanton’s contract is the challenge of the 28-year-old holding a full no-trade clause.
According to Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald, Stanton won’t approve a trade to either the Cardinals or Red Sox:
A baseball source said yesterday that he’s been told Stanton will not accept a trade to either the Red Sox or the Cardinals, another team linked early and often in trade rumors.
The reasoning behind Stanton not wanting to go to Boston or St. Louis is unclear. They reside as two organizations that have historically been committed to winning, although it’s possible that Stanton is holding out hope that his hometown Dodgers will enter the mix.
He’s coming off a career season in which he hit .281/.376/.631 with 32 doubles, 59 home runs and 132 RBI. The home run and RBI totals were both tops in all of baseball.
With the Winter Meetings just around the corner, a trade involving baseball’s biggest power hitter may not be too far off.
