YANKS GOING FISHIN’
In the driver’s seat as
What seemed highly improbable Friday afternoon, the idea of Giancarlo Stanton in pinstripes, became the stuff of late-night intrigue as the Yankees sensed an opportunity to take advantage of new owner Derek Jeter’s desperation to unload the biggest contract in baseball. By Friday night, in fact, it was looking like Jeter had nowhere else to turn, after Stanton had invoked his notrade clause to essentially void deals the Marlins’ brass had put in place with both the Giants and the Cardinals. Indeed, Stanton had let his new bosses know he would accept a trade to only four teams — the Yankees, Cubs, Astros, and Dodgers. But by Friday night indications were the Yankees were the only team actively in pursuit of a trade.
According to one person close to the situation, no deal was imminent and the Yankees were only going to make a trade for Stanton and his 10-year, $295 million contract if it was “on their terms.”
Mostly what that meant, aside from refusing to give up top prospects, was the Marlins would have to agree to take significant salary from the Yankees, preferably the three years and $63 million remaining on Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract — or at least most of it.
That would allow the Yankees room to take on Stanton’s salary and still get under the $197-million payroll luxury-tax threshold, which they’ve said repeatedly is their top priority this off-season.
Such a deal would give the Marlins longterm relief, since Ellsbury’s contract runs out seven years before Stanton’s, but it would do little to give them the short-term payroll relief that Jeter & Co. apparently feel is crucial.
That’s why rival executives on Friday were finding it hard to believe the two teams could make a trade.
And there was another complication in