Stanton sorting out unappealing options
St. Louis, San Francisco
and Boston might not be at the top of Giancarlo Stanton’s destination wish list. But the alternative — remaining with the Marlins as the lone star on a stripped-down team through a slow and potentially agonizing rebuild — might be even less appealing to him.
It’s a choice that could force Stanton’s hand if the Marlins work out acceptable trade proposals with teams that are less desirable to him
than others.
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 offifficials would look to trade offff other top players to reduce payroll.
While it wasn’t presented to Stanton as an ultimatum, one source said, it shows the Marlin saren’ t without leverage in the ire ff ff ff ff ff ff or ts to deal Stanton and relieve them of the fifinancial burden he brings. Stanton has said he doesn’t wish to be part of a rebuild.
Shedding the $ 25 million he is set to make in 2018 — not to mention the $295 million owed to him over the remainder of his contract — would go a long way toward helping the Marlins reach their $90 million target payroll next season. They would also
like to trade infifielders Dee Gordon and Martin Prado to
help satisfy that goal. If Stanton were to reject every trade proposal and remain in Miami, the Marlins could look to trade outfifielders Marcell Ozuna (projected to make $10.9 mil- lion through arbitration) and
Christian Yelich (under contract for $7 million), among other core players, to help offffffffffffset the salary paid to Stanton.
The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants are the only teams that have reportedly submitted formal offers to acquire Stanton. To varying degrees, other teams are also believed to be in play for him.
Interest on the part of the Boston Red Sox is reported to be “tepid,” and Stanton’s hometown Los Angeles Dodgers, which is presumed to be his preferred destination, aren’t considered one of the front-runners.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Tuesday that Stanton has given the Marlins a list of his preferences. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported teams looking to acquire Stanton could be permitted an exclusive negotiating window to speak directly with the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, in an effffffffffffort to woo the slugger should he have reservations.
With Stanton’s no-trade rights and hefty contract,
it’s a complex process that could play out for weeks — or even longer.