Home-run leader Stanton goes unclaimed
Marlins more likely to deal slugger in the off-season than during playoff races
Giancarlo Stanton made news again Tuesday, and this time he didn’t even swing the bat.
The Miami Marlins’ record-setting slugger — and the majors’ home-run leader — cleared revocable trade waivers, according to a report from Yahoo Sports. That means he is eligible to be traded to any team.
This move is largely procedural, with dozens of players across the majors clearing waivers every August, and a mid-season trade of Stanton remains unlikely, as was the case in the lead-up to the July 31non-waiver trade deadline.
In order to be traded in August, players must be placed on waivers, which offers each team an opportunity to claim him. If and when no club places a claim, his team is able to trade him.
In the case of Stanton, who has a full no-trade clause, he would also need to approve any deal he is involved in.
“At least four teams” have inquired about him, Yahoo reported.
Complicating any potential Stanton trade — which is more likely this off-season than this month — is his contract. His salary balloons from $14.5 million this year to $25 million in 2018, and after this season he is due $295 million over the next decade.
Stanton’s clearing of waivers and the speculation it fuels comes at a time when Stanton, who on Monday broke the Marlins’ single-season homer record with 43, is having the best year of his career.
In addition to leading the majors in long balls — he hit his 44th Tuesday, homering in his sixth straight game — Stanton has driven in 93 runs and is slugging .640, also best in the bigs.