One of the main storylines this MLB offseason will be the future of Miami Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton. The Marlins are a team heavily in debt (reportedly $400 million) and the contract of Stanton is a massive one the team will look to trade. In fact, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the Marlins will trade Stanton this offseason. The question is, which team will land the 2017 home run leader?
Stanton is in the midst of a career year: he's hitting .296, with 50 home runs and 108 RBIs. That's already above Stanton's career highs of .290, 37 home runs and 105 RBIs. Despite Stanton being the most prolific home run hitter in the majors right now and his value likely being near an all-time high, there are major issues with any Stanton trade.
The first is just the sheer size of his contract. He's due a hefty $295 million over the next 10 years, starting next year. That's why the Marlins are looking to get out of his contract, but only a few teams can even afford that amount. That's why Nightengale reports Miami might need to eat at least $75 million of Stanton's contract to help facilitate a trade.
The other major problem, which goes with the contract, is Stanton's injury history. He's missed time every season, with his career high being 150 of the maximum 161 games. It's been a major problem the past few years, with Stanton limited to 119 last year and 74 in 2015. At 127 games this year, Stanton has played the third most games in a single season in his eight-year career. Those injuries are a concern for any team taking on that type of contract.
Despite those worries, there will be interest in Stanton this offseason and Nightengale reports some teams (including those below) have already called. With that in mind, here are five teams that could trade for Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton this offseason.
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Honorable Mention: Cubs/Yankees/Red Sox
Wondering why these three big teams are grouped together? That's because Nightengale reports all three aren't really matches. The Yankees don't want to take on that kind of payroll (especially with a need for another starter(s)) and they already have a Stanton-type player in Aaron Judge. The Red Sox don't really need another OF and the Cubs have no need for Stanton either. Sure, Stanton is a great player but the contract matters and it's not efficient use of capital for those three teams. These are the teams almost always linked to big names, but it might not actually make a ton of sense this time.
You can count out the New York Yankees, who also are trying to drop below the $196 million salary cap next year. The Chicago Cubs have enough stars. There’s no room in the Boston Red Sox outfield. He has already been through enough rebuilding years not to stomach another few in Philadelphia.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have money to burn right now and they'll spend it eventually. Using it on a star like Stanton in a trade is a very possible outcome and Nightengale reports Philly has interest. Philadelphia can absorb the contract, but they do remember how badly the Ryan Howard contract ended up. There's one other notable issue: does Stanton want to play for another bad team? How much does Stanton, even at his current level, improve a 48-81 Phillies team, the worst in baseball? Stanton has a full no-trade clause and I bet he would veto any trade to a team like the Phillies.
4. Texas Rangers
The Rangers were on the list of teams that called the Marlins, which was interesting. They don't have the same amount of money to spend like some other teams on this list, and much like the Yankees, they need pitching. Getting a player like Stanton would be a big boost for the offense, although if the Rangers can't pay as much as others, they'd need to increase the caliber and/or amount prospects heading to the Marlins. It's a possible trade, but Texas is not a top 3 landing spot.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Stanton would, without a doubt, love to play for the Dodgers. He grew up in Los Angeles, was a Dodgers fan and he still lives in the area in the offseason. And the Dodgers have not been afraid to add salary, even though they keep saying they're going to spend less and that's why Nightengale says they aren't one of the top options. Of course, they said the same thing this year and went out and added Curtis Granderson after the deadline. Los Angeles still has the prospects to make deal, it's just a question of if the Dodgers can/will spend big once again.
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2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have called the Marlins as well and they have the money to take on most of Stanton's contract. They didn't spend for Albert Pujols, but perhaps they'd change their tune to land Stanton. They have the farm system to complete a deal if they are willing to spend as well. Stanton would be a massive boost in the OF for the Cardinals. Stanton has 50 homers this year, while the entire Cardinals outfield has combined for 55.
1. San Francisco Giants
Nightengale calls this the "ideal match" for Stanton. The Giants do need another power bat and they could use another star after their sellout streak finally ended this summer. The Giants have shown a willingness to spend and Nightengale says the Giants have shown the most interest of the teams that have called. The one thing that could torpedo a deal (outside of agreeing how much money the Marlins will eat) is the Giants' iffy farm system.
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