The Giants have joined the Cardinals in announcing that Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton has rejected the chance at a trade. Both clubs had worked out deals with Miami and then sat down with the slugger to convince him to waive his no-trade protection.
In combination with the earlier announcement from St. Louis, this operates as a huge shift in the market for Stanton — one of the game’s preeminent stars, its highest-paid player, and a nearly-necessary trade piece for the cost-cutting Marlins. The Giants and Cardinals were both willing to take on at least the bulk of Stanton’s contract. It’s not clear at all that other teams will do so.
Stanton, of course, is under no obligation to green-light a deal. He bargained for his no-trade protection and has every right to use it however he sees fit. But his stance has certainly jammed things up for the Marlins, who have little alternative but to find a trade that he’ll authorize given the team’s determination to oversee a drastic payroll reduction.
The only reason that Stanton ended up meeting with these two teams, of course, is that they were the preferred matches from the Marlins’ perspective. Now, with both evidently out of the picture, the Fish will have to be fishermen, seeking another team to take the hook.
Indications last night were that Stanton has indicated he’d be open to joining the Dodgers, Yankees, Astros, or Cubs. But only the first two of those clubs have been tied to Stanton in any meaningful way, and both are also reportedly uninterested in taking on the full $295MM still owed to Stanton, owing at least in part to luxury tax considerations. Working something out, then, will surely require some creative accounting work. And there’s also little question that the Dodgers and Yanks will milk their leverage for everything it’s worth.
It’s tempting, perhaps, to label this an instance of miscalculation by the Marlins. Entering the winter with new ownership and a new payroll plan, the team certainly did roll the dice that it would generate enough interest and that Stanton’s no-trade rights would not pose too great an obstacle. Clearly, there’s some blame to be distributed around South Beach.
At the same time, it’s understandable in some regards that the organization penciled in finding an acceptable Stanton deal — and disappointing in some respects to see this situation unfold this way. The Marlins were the relatively rare small-market team that was able to extend a youthful star. When circumstances changed, they might have reasonably hoped to have some way of relieving the pressure. Stanton, after all, is still in his prime and just wrapped up an MVP performance. As things stand, though, it seems that the Miami organization may end up stuck in the middle of baseball’s two biggest-spending clubs — unless, at least, they can find a way to cook up a new strategy after Plan A evidently failed.
trident
Oooh, burn
ABCD
Jeter’s gotta eat it!
Yes, this again!
Jockstrapper
Yeah Jeets. Yeah.
dugdog83
This whole thing has Yankees written all over it.
dugdog83
Haha. I called it!
WarrenSpahn
you did
matteste187
The marlins should just Bour, Ozuna, AND Yelich. That will guarantee he ops out in 3 yrs (I believe that’s when his opt is).
matteste187
*Should just trade*
Geebs
So they should gut the team for spite?
Dave 32
well, for payroll mostly. Spite is what the idiots who give that team money every year deserve though.
dugdog83
You can return clothing for spite.
gorav114
I agree. They tried to trade and he didn’t approve now they wait him out.
bklynny67
That won’t guarantee he opts out. He obviously doesn’t care about winning. Seems like it’s Dodgers or no one. That’s where he wants to play. No reason to opt out in 3 years when there’s virtually no chance he gets another deal worth what would be remaining on his current deal.
vtadave
He wants to go to the Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs or Astros. They win.
SuperSinker
How do you know what contracts will look like in 3+ years? Tyler Chatwood just got $38,000,000.
Yankeepride88
You can’t compare a middle of the rotation arm to an MVP
davbee
He can compare an overall increase in the market.
Gocubsgo1986
Home runs are getting to that dime a dozen territory. Pitchers who can get MLB hitters out consistently are like gold right now.
slider32
This year the QA was over 17 million.
jbigz12
Giancarlo Stanton tell marlins send me to LA or absorb my massive deal.
bpapp12
There’s another side of that, buddy.
jbigz12
Really, guy?
neworleanstaints
Haha Stanton is the boss in this situation.
CompanyAssassin
I mean not really. The Marlins could be so upset by the fact he just tossed their leverage out the window that they say he isn’t being traded and they send off everyone else. Could package Ziegler and Tazawa in with Yelich/Ozuna/Realmuto trades, payroll isn’t so bad now, already got Gordon off the books.
Koodle
Curious to the the other side haha
pustule bosey
I ziegler and yelich or ozuna package would actually be better for the giants than the stanton one IMO
floridapinstripes
The problem is Yelich or Ozuna is going to cost you much more than Stanton in terms of prospects.
seamaholic 2
Giants don’t have the prospects for Ozuna or Yelich
vtadave
Ramos, Shaw, and Beede would get either.
southbeachbully
Well he doesn’t exactly seem opposed to staying with the Marlins for 3 years if he has to.
37santobanks
“I’m not your guy, friend” is the correct response
southbeachbully
I doubt it. Beede had a horrible year @ AAA. Ramos hasn’t played above Rookie low level and Shaw shows power but not much else. If I’m the Marlins I want guys that have a bit more to offer.
rgood4
I’m not your friend, buddy
SheltonMatthews
I’m not your friend, pal
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
not even remotely close on yelish think eaton++ same control and a much better player and more likely to stick in Center
canadianyankee
Ok chief
kitkat34
Yeah right
Vedder80
No. No they would not.
WarrenSpahn
Giants have to blow it up and start over. the cupboard is bare, beyond Buster and Bum
Cardsfan1984
Or do as they stated they would do and sell everyone around him. Let him sit thru thatbrebuild he didn’t want to be a part of. He had the option to leave and has now declined them both.
jbigz12
It’ll all work out. He’ll eventually bend. I agree he won’t like playing next to jt riddle and the AAA squad.
fmj
and the Marlins leverage shrinks by the minute
seamaholic 2
Not really. Or at least it’s declining at the same rate as Stanton’s. Giancarlo doesn’t want to be on the Marlins in 2018 more than the Marlins don’t want him on the team. It’s a lost year from their perspective anyway. They can now sell the team around him and force him to accept a trade. And I think that’s exactly what they’re going to do.
ATL_ranger
I disagree, I think Stanton is throwing away any leverage he had. It’s just as much his fault as the Marlins’ that he’s stuck in this situation, and if he won’t compromise at all to get out of it like the organization is doing, they should just sell everyone else off and throw him out there with a bunch of AAA guys. I would bet that’s not his preferred option
SuperSinker
He’s getting his money for the next decade, and living in Miami. Haha don’t act like he’d be spending his nights sad and alone or something haha.
Jimcarlo Slaton
HaHa!!!
josc2
Hope he stays in Miami and plays on one of the worst teams in decades.
agentx
I hope he stays in Miami, puts in another MVP-caliber season, propels his team into Wild Card contention, and forces the Marlins FO to approach next offseason more thoughtfully.
brucewayne
The Marlins don’t have the pitching to even get close to the post season!
agentx
But if you’d rather root against MVP-caliber players and thus indirectly endorse everything Management does in favor of their cash position at the expense of the players and fans, that’s your prerogative..
mikeyank55
Maybe they take a page out of the yogi Berra “it’s deja vu all over again” handbook.
Like it’s former owner who was at one time associated with the Yankees, Jeter convinces the commissioner to allow him to swap franchises with the Wilpon’s.
So he takes over the Mets and then gets Fred to dump all of the valuable players and Stanton to the Mets to reduce his payroll in Miami.
He throws is a free condo on Collins Avenue for both Wilpon Sr and Jr.
Now Stanton is pissed. All of his good teammates are on the Mets and he accepts a trade to the Yankees to get even.
Crazy huh? The only thing is that for the lonely Mets fans who are sleeping during the hot stove because their team is never mentioned (due to cheap Wilpons), this is about exciting as anything will be all winter (lol).
Bill
I’m impressed that you’re so delusional that you manage to include your odd fixation with the Mets into posts that have nothing to do with them.
Slipknot37
Unless the Dodgers work out a trade, I can’t see him going where he wants. What does he want? If he wants a winning team that can afford him, he had his options already.
justinept
A winning team? The Giants were a last place team. The Cardinals have been mediocre since the middle of 2015. Neither team was one $200 million player from competing with the Dodgers or Cubs in the NL…
Slipknot37
Cardinals though have had winning seasons and could still do Good next year. I agree with the giants. They had a rough year and may not do good in the future. But they aren’t rebuilding and are not really close to it like Miami is. Stanton did say he wanted to not be on a rebuilding team too.
Definitely understand him playing with a team he wants. But unless Yankees want to go over the luxury tax, they aren’t a match. Astros could use him, but don’t need him. Same with cubs unless they trade some of their outfielders. Dodgers could be a match, though they would take alot of money to a big payroll already (not saying that won’t happen).
That’s just why I think his options to go on a nonrebuilding team have passed. But idk.
Putmeincoach12
Yeah, so staying on a payroll gutted Marlins team who will be forced now to trade more players is a better fit for Stanton because he wants to win. Sounds logical. I hope he is stuck in last place until he can opt out.
Slipknot37
Not saying it is the case, but maybe he just would rather play for the only team and play in the only ballpark he s ever known than be on a team that doesn’t know if it will be in the playoffs for the next few years. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out
SheltonMatthews
Technically, the only ballpark GIANCARLO Stanton has called home is Marlins Park, but Mike played a couple years in whatever they called Hard Rock Stadium at the time.
brucewayne
The Cards have a top 10 minor league system
brucewayne
with lots of good young pitching major league ready. Plus plenty of money.
montana blue
He wants to play in Miami on a team that’s going to compete…at least that’s what he was told when they signed him…now he’s a junk bond…
SuperSinker
No.
Christian Larsen
So it’s either Dodgers or he stays?
alt2tab
Or the Angels I suppose…but not sure they would want to take on a huge contract after finally getting rid of all but one of their’s.
Koodle
Plus after they just signed ohtani and he wants to play some OF, plus the angels would have to get rid of Calhoun and they just ditched money and that’s been their goal for awhile. Wouldn’t make much sense
alt2tab
I don’t think there’s any chance Ohtani will get much of any looks in the outfield. He hasn’t played there since 2014 and the Angels wouldn’t want to risk injury when they value his pitching more than his offense. And any deal for Stanton would likely include or lead to trading Calhoun, opening a spot in right field. But yah, still not sure the Angels would want to take on the financial risk there…
justinept
Time will tell, man. The Angels just hit the jackpot with Ohtani, essentially getting a guy that projects to be an ace without having to give him a $175 million deal. That provides huge flexibility with the rest of the roster. Not saying they want to blow through all those savings on one player, but putting Trout and Stanton in the same lineup? That has to be tempting.
stymeedone
It will be interesting if Ohtani turns out to be a typical rookie, who has his ups and downs, and ends up with middle of the pack numbers, instead of the savior that everyone envisions.
SuperSinker
He’s gonna be great.
danielking
The Astros could actually afford him. The owner has long said he’s willing to move into top tier of payroll when the time dictates.
Now could they still afford the repairs to the glass wall in LF is the follow up question…
WarrenSpahn
uh, Yankees?
KCelts
God Marlins are really in a bind now.
jbigz12
If they clear house besides Stanton they’ll be okay short term. I have a feeling if he starts playing with AAA caliber players the giants or cardinals might start looking nicer. Let ozuna, yelich, and realmuto get dealt and he’ll probably be more open before mid season.
gmenfan
^ THIS !!!
Cardsfanatik
Lol, problem is, the teams wanting him will now have Ozuna, Yellich or Realmuto, and he’ll be sol.
CompanyAssassin
Sounds like the Verlander trade.
Michael Chaney
I agree with this but if I’m the Cardinals or Giants I wouldn’t waste my time on him anymore…it’s more likely that they’d move on entirely
justinept
The logic makes sense. But it misses a huge point. The Giants and Cardinals are likely to move on fast with the meetings next week. While they have the payroll flexibility to make a Stanton deal work right now, they probably won’t have that same flexibility this time next week…
outinleftfield
The Giants and other teams will now come calling about Ozuna, Yelich, Staily, Bour, Realmuto, Barraclough, Prado, Zeigler and anything else that isn’t nailed down.
floridapinstripes
That’s assuming other teams can’t beat the trade proposals
Headlining deals with Alcantara and arroyo aren’t exactly blue chip prospects
cards81
Lol Alcantara is a Great pitching prospect…and the cardinals have plenty of prospects that would easily get a deal done with the marlins
Jimcarlo Slaton
like someone who eats nothing but bananas for a week
WalkersDayOff
Oh man if he goes to the Dodgers thats gonna be fun
justinept
Same can be said for any of the teams he’s willing to waive his ntc for… problem is this – those teams already knew that Stanton could basically be had by any team that was willing to take on his contract, and none of them bit. Knowing Stanton would accept a trade to their team doesn’t really change anything.
But with these two potential trades – plus Ohtani- likely behind us, the market should pick up fast. Let’s see if his four preferred teams fill their holes at the meetings next week. If they dont, they might circle back around to Stanton.
stymeedone
Dodgers don’t need him, and wont offer enough. No motivation for Miami to move him if they don’t get what they need. The new owners may wish to reduce payroll, but they wouldn’t have been allowed to buy the team if they couldn’t afford the current payroll. or more. They want to move him. They do NOT have to move him.
dmarcus15
so 24 league minimum players and him would be an interesting concept lol
etreuden
Man, this is ridiculous.
xabial
Either a bullet was dodged or… an opportunity lost 😉
angryangel02
Profound
ABCD
This again?
xabial
Funny, I thought the same thing when I saw this thread
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
I think we’re all tired of his shenanigans Mrs. Schwarber.
xabial
That was rude, and uncalled for… “shenanigans”?
You see the trolls? I 100% believe in what I said. Giants lost an opportunity or dodged a bullet.
Wink emoji was an acknowledgment, I repeated my comment from the other Stanton thread. (only difference thread being Giants, instead of Cards)
It was an innocent comment. Pls Relax!
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
It was a joke please relax, it was also not directed at you. I was referring to Stanton and his shenanigans.
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
I also think it’s the latter, they would be better served signing JD Martinez.
xabial
Your joke was Ambiguous Lol, it suggested me.
The good news is, the area I live in is called Marlboro.
No relation to Bruce Bochy or Marlboro man.
xabial
Thanks for replying to my statement. Not too sure about JD as a better option if he costs $200M+
Stanton is at least average to above average defensively.
JD is a corpse (figuratively) out there Defensively.
Stanton is 28. JD is 30.
If JD’s signing price drops below $200M, I agree with you, Giants would be better served signing JD, over trading for Giancarlo.
chrisduncanfan
Why don’t you think anything is funny? It’s fine if you don’t, just don’t use the mad magazine guy as a pic…I’m all about irony, but it’s just too much for me to process.
xabial
I’m all for jokes. But Not when they’re ambiguous or target me. If they targeted Stanton, I wouldn’t have said anything. But Mrs. Schwarber was clearly referring to me when she said “this again” and then Marlboro said ” I think we’re all tired of his shenanigans Mrs. Schwarber.” Glad he cleared it up, but how was that not a shot at me? Where did he talk about Stanton in any way, shape, or form?
It’s ok. There’s a lot to process right now with Ohtani picking a team, Stanton exercising his NTC (twice) and a lot more going on.
Mad magazine guy should be the last thing on your mind, to process.
chrisduncanfan
So who is dodging bullets? I’m so lost. Regardless, just because someone misses an opportunity doesn’t mean they should be shot at…that’s horrible.
xabial
idiomeanings.com/dodge-a-bullet/
gmenfan
So, three more years of keeping his talents in South Beach it is.
MB923
So it will be Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, or Astros. Or he is staying with the Marlins.
jackt
Yup Dodgers or Marlins exactly
rerogers
Astros don’t want him. contract would hinder signing other really good players.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Should have gotten a list of teams he would approve a trade to in the first place and just only negotiated with those teams.
chound
Sometimes you have to let the child touch the stove b/c telling them that it’s hot just isn’t good enough.
ABCD
Well, this is the Hot Stove!
Ouch!
reflect
Marlins did get a list like a month ago and the cardinals and giants weren’t on it. So just blame the team.
KenJorB
If that was true, the the Marlins were stupid for wasting everyone’s time. I hope Stanton enjoys playing for the Minor League Marlins.
Sure, the Giants aren’t contenders right now. Stanton could have been a difference maker. They still have established stars and a great starting staff. Bullpen not that far off. Stanton could have made them a playoff contender. He was being really being shortsighted.
Bruin1012
Marlins aren’t in a bind at all just go into full rebuild mode trade everyone else and tell him to stick it in his ear. He might get the point then.
jbigz12
Agreed. They clear out Ziegler, ozuna, yelich, realmuto, whoever else gets paid on that team besides Prado because no one is taking prado. Then they should be alright. Think he’ll bend eventually.
disadvantage
Meanwhile, Derek Jeter frantically going door to door asking if he can mow his neighbor’s lawns to start recouping some of the loss since he won’t be able to pass his $325 million debt to another team.
stymeedone
I thought it was a $325 million asset.
chrisduncanfan
Deborah Ann “Debbie” Zomermaand be like… “get off my lawn”
saintpetersblog.com/neighbor-sues-derek-jeter-exce…
sufferforsnakes
Maybe the Angels?
angryangel02
No way. They don’t need another outfielder and definitely don’t need to pay another aging slugger.
cxcx
Yeah aging from 27 to 28 is really debilitating.
sufferforsnakes
You seem angry. Oh, wait…..
Braveslifer
My thoughts exactly. Seems the timing of Ohtani signing there is in sinc with his announcement.
Michael Chaney
They have Upton/Trout/Calhoun in the outfield and Otani/Pujols/Cron splitting between first and DH…they wouldn’t seem to make sense
Afisher0227
Guess he’s happy playing in Miami since no one has heard anything about interest from the Yankees or Dodgers. I lost allot of respect for Stanton with this decision. He says he loves to play in AT&T park but won’t waive his no trade
Ellite25
Why would you lose respect for him? He has a no trade clause in his contract. Should he not use it to make you feel better? It’s his choice. It’s his life. He’s earned the right to exercise a no trade clause the Marlins agreed to. If he only wants to play for certain teams and will only accepts trades there then good on him.
Afisher0227
He says how much he loves playing in SF but won’t waive his no trade. I know the Giants were terrible last year but if he wants to be on a winning team there isn’t a team with a more winning culture in the last 10 years than SF.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
It’s also an aging expensive team with so many holes and a terrible farm system. I respect the Giants and what they’ve done, but this is so reminiscent of the Phillies situation. I don’t really get your sentiment. You can Iove playing in a stadium, doesn’t mean the stadium provides you a chance to win. Just because a guy doesn’t want to come to play for the Dodgers doesn’t mean I respect them less. There are so many stadiums that Stanton could love playing in, but chose not to waive his NTC because long term he doesn’t view them viable to compete or remain stable.
outinleftfield
He made a choice and that choice is to play on a 60-70 win team in Miami for the foreseeable future. Now the Marlins start dismantling to team to save that $25-30 million more they need to shed for 2018.
reflect
Yeah damn that guy for using his own contractual rights.
Aoe3
Angels or Yankees?
philsphan1979
What planet do you live on? The angels already learned their lesson not once but twice by giving huge deals out to players (pujols and Hamilton). There the last team in MLB to want to have their hands tied to another long term contract
bleacherbum
So much for the whole “Giants going to get both Otani and Stanton”. Whoops
imindless
The marlins wasted their time and other ball clubs, just to have him say i want dodgers.
Coast1
I’m not sure they did. The Dodgers clearly weren’t making a decent offer, only the Giants and Cardinals were. Hill asked Stanton to consider those teams. He did and said no. I don’t see how the Marlins are worse off than they were when they originally got the list. The alternative would’ve been to do nothing. That’s what is going to happen now. He stays.
agentx
Not that it makes any difference now, but I wonder how close either Ohtani or Stanton ever were to joining the Giants… or if it would have mattered to either player if the other chose SF.
Rbase
Ok, that is kind of a surprise. I thought he preferred to go to a west coast team.
What other (remotely) contending teams want him? Dodgers? Twins? Brewers? Cubs? I can’t imagine him going to any of these clubs to be honest.
Bopo
By west coast he meant Dodgers. He would’ve looked unreasonable by saying it upfront
stymeedone
Saying it later makes him look unreasonable, too Seattle is on the west coast, I wonder if DiPoto would want to make a trade? Of course he would!
mikeyank55
Seattle already took on one ridiculous contract that is about to go upside down. They’ve got what another 6 years of a rising expense to a player at the beginning of a rapid descent.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Did he say anything? Is he required to say anything? His obligation is to turn in the list of teams he’d waive his NTC for. The Marlins obligations are to find a package they deem reasonable. Sometimes the two don’t intersect. The Marlins would be foolish just to outright dismiss a team that’s not on his NTC. Really what it came down to how Stanton felt coming out of the meetings.
kcusgnikcufsregdod
Thats fine. The longer it went i knew it wasnt happening. Wasted a lot of peoples time tho
justinept
God forbid a guy takes a couple extra days to make a major life decision …
steven st croix
An outfield of Springer, Reddick, and Stanton would be pretty amazing.
Thronson5
As a Dodgers fan this makes me happy that he won’t go two teams I really dislike lol. Even if he isn’t coming to LA at least he isn’t going to one of those teams.
montana blue
Stanton not going to the giants is in itself a huge win for the Dodgers…
marlins17
One of those 4 teams will step up now. Id be shocked if they didnt
jogar
He wants to be a Yankee
Goose
I suspected this was the case when they did the Dee Gordon deal last night. Assuming one of the four teams reported this morning don’t show up or show up with a reasonable deal I expect them to move any decent paid vets and arbitration players..
This is going to provide some risk for him as he will be stuck on a rebuilding Marlins team until the opt-out clause becomes available at the end of the 2020 season.
sportingdissent
Stanton’s getting bad advice. If he thinks the Marlins will simply give him away to a contender, he’s mistaken. They’ll trade every contract on the team besides his, have a $30 million payroll, and let Stanton be the attraction on a 12 win ballclub. The Cards and Giants represented his only way out.
Dotnet22
Good news for every other team that will make deals for the rest of the talent on the Marlins.
mack22 2
No they won’t, this is a new group, that would be business suicide
ABCD
Maybe except Jeter has not shown any proof of building goodwill.
cxcx
I don’t get why the Marlins didn’t have this as their strategy from the beginning, keep the guy as a gate draw. I guess ridding yourself of the long term risk is big but I think the draw balances it plus you could build a monster farm trading Ozuna and Yelich and some of the other guys.
outinleftfield
From a PR standpoint, before they could tear down the team they had to find at least a couple of teams that were willing to take on Stanton’s contract and make Stanton say no. Now the onus is on him.
justinept
The Marlins would give Stanton away to any team willing to take on the deal…
Jo Daddy
HUrry up and trade Yelich and Ozuna, so he has to stay! lol
bonquisha
Lets see if the marlins have some cajones
Like they arent gunna rebuild for 10 years in a row, let alone 5-7 years.
If im stanton i say “trade me where i want, i call the shots you dont. My ntc means you wont ever get to pick the best offer overall. Thats not how ntcs work”
So either he takes up 1/3 of their payroll (29.5/90)
Or they show their bluffing. I cant prove it but i feel like stanton doesnt care if they say fine stay here for 10 years while we suck. Boom bluff was not effective at all
outinleftfield
Stanton makes $25 million in 2018 and $26 million the following 2 seasons. The Marlins are not going to contend before his opt-out after 2020. They just called his bluff and now he either has to backtrack and say ok to the Giants or Cards or he has to stay in Miami and lose in Miami until the Marlins do find another offer as good as the Giants and Cards offers, not likely, or until his opt-out.
Paul Heyman
My client BROCK LESNAR is going to take mr.stanton to SUPLEX CITY, this is where his next 10 years of playing ball is going to happen.
justin-turner overdrive
please change your avatar to make this more funny thanks
stubby66
Prima Dona if he wanted to play with the Dodgers so bad then he shouldn’t have signed a ten year deal. boo hoo
Thronson5
I laugh at people that make comments insulting the guy. He has the right to say where he wants to be traded that doesn’t make him a prima dona
imindless
Agreed, shame on marlins for signin him and putting a bad team always onthe field.
dj415cali
As a Giants fan, i’m truly not mad at Stanton…Listen, he has the right to choose where he wants to go and that is exactly what he did. Its his choice and quite frankly, if he got traded here we would have lost our few decent prospects and he would have just opted out in 2020. Giants just need to think smarter and NOT harder. Keep the money, trade Belt and Samardjiza.
mack22 2
Kind of tickles ya don’t it?
stubby66
Honestly Stanton just did the Giants a favor
gmenfan
Actually, he just did JD Martinez a $160M favor. No doubt that Larry Baer is filling up the dump truck as I write.
kingcong95
If the guy gets what he wants, he is officially the Kevin Durant of baseball.
gmenfan
Durant was a free agent. Very different situation.
kingcong95
I mean that he had a say in where he wanted to go and wanted SPECIFICALLY to chase a ring.
gmenfan
Yup, and that’s a free agent’s prerogative.
Stanton is quite artfully holding a team hostage to facilitate a trade to a contender.
As I said, quite different.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I mean is that a bad thing? Isn’t that what a majority of the players as they age and made a ton of money are doing?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I know he has the right to block any trade he wants but I don’t understand why anyone would rather play for the Marlins than the Cardinals or Giants.
Nebraska Tim
Taxes.
Plus, Miami is amazing.
SanFran is okay.
I would never want to live in Missouri.
What
There’s an escalator in his contract that covers the tax issue of he’s traded.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
It’s a nicer city, sure. But the Marlins organization is a complete dumpster fire while the Cardinals and Giants organizations are actually run well.
aff10
Agreed entirely with this take. No real reason to lose respect for the player for exercising a right he more than earned, but even if he’s trying to finagle his way to LA, he’s absorbing some significant probability that he ends up stuck on a really terrible Miami team. For a player who said that his only real goal is to avoid a massive rebuild, I don’t understand this much
gmenfan
He’s basically saying that he’s ok rebuilding for three years, just not a full decade.
ABCD
The women are hotter in Miami.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
outinleftfield and his many backup accounts up to their usual downvoting schtick I see.
Cubguy13
Good for him. With new ownership making it known they don’t want to pay him, he didn’t cater to them and waive his no trade clause to go somewhere he didn’t want to be just to please the higher ups. I respect that
thetruth 2
Really? He’s now stuck on a rebuilding team that will trade others to shed salary so he can waste his prime. He wants to be a winner but thinks that he can force a trade to the Dodgers.
sacball
great, this means the Giants are going to get super desperate and trade Heliot Ramos for McCutchen now
CompanyAssassin
Not particularly surprising after he rejected St. Louis.
baseballpun
Ozuna to the Cards. Come on.
jmi1950
NYY trade Ellsbury, Gardner and 2 prospects plus agree to pay the 2MM 2018 buy out for Gardner, 7MM of Ells contract in 2019 & 2020 plus the 5MM buy out in 2021 for Stanton. The NYY actually are helped to get under the Lux Tax in 2018 and get rid of Ells contract Miami can eat another portion of Ells contract to move him to a 3d team and trade Gardner as well to reduce payroll. The Key is the NYY save 6.64 MM in 2018 which helps them break the lux tax cycle.
fathead112805
Ellsbury has a no trade clause and already said he isn’t leaving NY
Bruin1012
Miami giggles at that offer and hangs up the phone.
Coast1
You really are missing the entire point of why the Marlins want to trade Stanton. It’s not the future salary that’s a problem. It’s the current year.
koz16
Stanton will be playing in Miami for the next 3 seasons with AA level talent around him while Marlins ownership sells off all player assets to cover debt service.
Codybellingersgrandma
Instead of in San fransisco with a bunch of old talent in the backend of their careers
sanfranb27
The giants talent is all the same age bracket as Stanton…
HummBaby
At least you have something to look forward to. The commemorative “30 years since a World Series win” bobbleheads this upcoming season at Doger stadium will net a premium on ebay.
Solaris601
So he’ll be more than happy to exercise his “earned right” to opt out in 3 years to escape the NL East basement since he didn’t waive his “earned right” no-trade clause. Be careful what you wish for, Giancarlo.
funkmasta198
Here’s to Stanton dealing with 3 years of a one man team in Miami surrounded by nothing… sell off everything else to make up for his contract that you were hoping to dump.
Phil1234
I don’t agree that Stanton has all the leverage. The Fish could trade everybody and he will play with an awful team. Pitchers won’t pitch to him and he could become mad of he loses and don’t hit 40HR.
He could leave in 3 years, but at what cost? His contract is backloaded so the best paychecks are ahead.
I think the Marlins mishandled all of it, and Stanton can force them to trade him where he wants, to a certain extent. But he doesn’t control who he will play with in Miami and that’s a big factor I think.
funkmasta198
Yup I understand it’s his no trade clause and his right to want to go to who he wants to but he can still opt out in 3 years, so why not take a chance and excel in Stl and then go where he wants for same or more money? Miami could sell off EVERYBODY, he doesn’t get pitched to he gets frustrated playing on bad team swinging at bad pitches and all of a sudden he’s a 30 year old slower outfielder coming off a .250 season with 30 hr or a few nagging injuries and the opt out doesn’t look great for making same or more money…
formerlyz
Nice. He is staying. Trade the other pieces. Let the giants look at Lorenzo Cain, bullpen help, and more depth
Codybellingersgrandma
Christmas came early!
Nebraska Tim
This. Is. Amazing!
Good for Stanton.
The Fish should get nothing out of a trade except some financial relief. Don’t buy a team if you can’t afford to play ball. This situation is entirely the fault of the Marlins’ ownership and front office.
I know it won’t happen, but I’d love to see Stanton go somewhere like Arizona, Colorado, or Toronto, and hit a gazillion home runs.
stymeedone
If the team cant afford to play ball, it is the fault of MLB and the owners that approved the sale.
justinept
They worked out a trade with a last place team that sits near the bottom in farm system rankings … Do you really think they’re asking for much more than financial relief?
aussiegiants53
About bloody time eh! Watch the flurry of moves start happening now! Yiew, offseason has started haha
notagain27
The problem isn’t with Stanton, the problem lies with MLB allowing a group of investors to buy a team and immediately start dumping salary because they didn’t have the assets to fully fund the team they purchased. The player negotiated his contract and shouldn’t be blamed for this situation.
montana blue
Agreed
jints1
I totally agree that MLB should query new ownership as to their plans. if the new ownership cannot cover a moderate payroll, they have no business acquiring the franchise.
pustule bosey
I really hope this doesn’t mean the giants overpay for JD – that would be a bad decision
Michael Chaney
Stanton has the right to pick his destination but if I was a Marlins fan I’d be pissed
dewssox79
trade everyone but him. the guy is a diva.
simschifan
Ok yellich and Stanton for Schwarber and Almora.
Ry.the.Stunner
Yeah, I’m a Cubs fan and even I know that’s unrealistic on every level.
Aldo estrada
Being so many good players dont see why these huge insane contracts are given out and a no trade clause on top of that lol. I think Loria knew he was going to sell the team at some point so he didnt care about the stanton deal just to get fans
Dodgethis
Stanton signed his deal with full knowledge of how terrible the organization was run. He knew full well he wasn’t going to play on a contendor. He has no real reason to accept a trade. The threat of playing on a bad team isn’t a threat to him. He bilked 300 million out of bad businessmen, and his list of contending teams he would accept a trade to is pretty funny. Giants and cardinals missed out but could of been saved in the long run. Only time will tell.
montana blue
You can’t go back in time but the mistake was giving Stanton all that money and also a full no trade clause…backed themselves in to a corner…
stymeedone
No, Loria sold the team, so he backed the new owners into the corner, while he counts his money.
smileydrinkwater
All this talk of trading everyone else to punish Stanton for Jeffrey Loria’s stupidity is ludicrous. No way Jeter trades everyone of value to spite Stanton. This contract wasn’t a mystery and if Jeter thinks the cash flow is bad now, deal everyone of value save Stanton and see how many people show to see Stanton get walked four times a night.
funkmasta198
Uhh how else do u expect them to rid that much payroll if they can’t trade Stanton’s, they can then only trade ozuna yelish ziegler realmuto and others and hope to get as much top quality prospects in return. It’s their only other option to rid payroll, not to punish Stanton.
outinleftfield
You are missing the point. It is not to spite Stanton, it is to get their payroll to a level where they can make a profit or at least break even. Baseball is a business. The Marlins are hemorrhaging money at $130 million. They relieved a little of the pressure on them financially by moving Gordon. Now they need to move another $30 million or so to keep their heads above water. Since Stanton turned down the only 2 teams that were willing to make an acceptable offer, the Marlins now have to turn to trading other players to meet that level of payroll. Ozuna, Yelich, Straily, Prado, Zeigler, Bour, and Realmuto are the most marketable pieces and combined they would knock about that much money off the payroll depending on how much of Prado and Zeigler’s contracts they have to eat.
That leaves Stanton and the minor leaguers, for the most part, depending on who they get in return for those 7.
cjuluca
The circus continues!
SupremeZeus
My post from 11/11 still holding up..
“IMO, if the fish are hell-bent on trading Stanton somebody is getting a bargain. Factor in the $, his opt out and most importantly his no trade and the fish are hamstrung. The no trade alone probably limits the trade pool to about 4 teams (sorry flyover country you’re sucking hind tit on this one). If I was Stanton, I would choose the only team I will waive my no trade for and tell Jeter & Co. to get it done. You are going to hear leaks about all kind of suitors and Jeter and the boys wanting to move quickly, but they are just messenger boys in this process. Stanton controls this process and no one else, all he has to do is bide his time and he will end up exactly where he wants to go and the fish end up w/ an underwhelming return.”
stymeedone
I believe you are mistaken in that”the fish are hell-bent on trading Stanton,” They are hell-bent on reducing payroll. A Stanton trade would have just been the simplest solution. Its not the only solution.
seamaholic 2
No way he goes to the Dodgers now. Marlins have got to be so royally pissed they’ll send him to anyone else for pennies on the dollar rather than give him what he wants. At least I would if I were them.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
You know Stanton has a no trade clause, right?
ABCD
He forgot.
outinleftfield
If the Dodgers make an offer as good as the one the Giants and Cardinals made, then the Marlins would trade Stanton. If not they will keep him and move other players to meet payroll. Unfortunately for Stanton, that means he is staying in Miami and he will be the only decent player left on the roster unless Chen rebounds.
377194
Stanton will wind up stay in Miami. None of the teams he picked will take on his contract and drain their farm prospects.
dmarcus15
if I am the Marlins I bring up the AAA team and then see how he likes that.
mymaus
I don’t think the Marlins HAVE to take a low ball offer….it will cost them about 16M to keep him until the trade deadline and after a half season of playing with AAA players I think GS might be a little more open minded and competing teams with injuries might come in with higher bids. If they find a place for Bour, I’d even get him used to playing some 1B.
jints1
I have no sympathy for the Marlins and their new ownership. They knew the Stanton situation before they bought the Marlins. The idea of blowing up the current team bothered me since they have the most potential in the NL East other than the Nats. They have the best OF in the majors, Realmuto, Bour and they had Gordon. This is a team with a few smart moves could have been a contender. Jeter has been a disaster. The attendance will tank and baseball will be wondering what to do with the franchise. And they thought the prior ownership was bad.
Jean Matrac
Yeah, they should have just moved on because of Stanton’s contract, and bought another team instead. After all MLB teams go up for sale all the time.
outinleftfield
The problem the Marlins are facing two-fold.
1st payroll. Because of Loria’s ineptitude at running the team they have the lowest TV contract and overall revenue in baseball. $90-100 million is about as much as they can spend and be profitable. That will all change in 2021 when they get a new TV deal, but for now its the reality of their situation. They needed to get rid $30-40 million in salary for 2018.
2nd is pitching. Fernandez died. Nothing they could control, but their Ace is gone. Volquez is out for the year. Chen has been injured and not great when healthy. He is basically untradeable. Tazawa is untradeable. The starting pitching they have out up a 5.12 ERA last season and are all back of the rotation caliber guys. They need 3 starters on top of what they have and have no help coming from the farm system soon enough. There is literally no shot at contending without breaking the bank on pitching for a team that is already $30-40 million underwater.
outinleftfield
I hope Stanton likes Miami because that is where he will start the season. Only the Giants and Cardinals were willing to meet the Marlins price and now the team has to move on to plan b before the market moves on for their other tradable players.
So the Fire Sale starts in earnest. Ozuna, Yelich, Straily, Prado, Zeigler, Bour and maybe Realmuto may be out the door before the end of the Winter Meetings.
montana blue
I don’t think the dodgers will waste their money on Stanton…they’re dead set on offering Harper the contract of the century after 2018…
Pax vobiscum
Them and the Yankees and the Phillies and three or four other teams.
nickmontgomery10
Have fun on a rebuilding team! 🙂
nbgiant25
“So Giancarlo, it looks like we’ll only be able to get you around 250PA’s this season. You just don’t fit into what we’re trying to do. Also, you’ll be our new catcher.”
justinept
Bahaha. The 250 plate appearance thing- it’s not actually a threat to pay someone $250 million to do nothing. But the catching thing would lead to the biggest grievance EVER filed by the MLBPA.
This isn’t at-will employment. These are contracted players who belong to a powerful union. You can’t punish them by throwing them into a situation they’d consider to be unsafe…
nbgiant25
It’s actually a massive threat. Do you really think there are players of Stanton’s caliber that would be happy at all with sitting on the bench?
And please explain what would be unsafe about a position change? They have every right to tell him to learn a new position. It happens regularly. Hell, it just happened with Dee Gordon. There’s nothing especially dangerous about catching, and you can’t even argue against it harming his career. After all, as you said, he’s already been paid…
corey5kersh22
Stanton to the dodger is inevitable now… let’s gooo
NicTaylor
Somewhere Loria is laughing as he watches this all unfold…
Paul Miller
while rolling around in money that he stole from Florida’s tax payers for that ridiculous stadium.
jd396
Enjoy the rebuild Gionny.
chrisduncanfan
Oh snap…there’s an entire page of Stanton Jokes…whuahahhahaha
Q: How do you make Giancarlo Stanton fans laugh on Monday?
A: Tell them a joke on Friday!
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Is there anything in that $325 million contract that prevents the Marlins from burying him in the minors with their low-A team?
A few months of riding buses and staying at Motel 6’s might change that stance.
If that doesn’t work, move him from low A to high A to AA to AAA back to low A back to high A back to AA and so on, so that he never even plays a game. Just spends his life schlepping from the middle of nowhere to a different middle of nowhere.
Jean Matrac
“Is there anything in that $325 million contract that prevents the Marlins from burying him in the minors…”
There’s nothing in the contract, but the rules of baseball prevent that. First he would have to clear waivers, and then even if he did, Stanton can’t be sent down without his consent.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Wouldn’t putting him on waivers be better than eating a large portion of his contract?
And, if he refuses a minor league assignment, couldn’t he be left in limbo, not playing, not on the roster, etc.?
Jeter has few options, he might have to go scorched Earth if he wants to get this done.
Jean Matrac
No. If someone claims him, the Marlins get zero back in trade. They’re better off keeping him since his contract is still market value, and there’s still the possibility of a trade down the road.
They could choose to have him ride the bench, but that hurts the team. Teams have long complained that the 25 man roster is too small. The Marlins would be making a decision to play with a 24 man roster. When Stanton refuses a demotion to the minors, not if, he remains on the 25 man roster
Just like a scorched earth policy, anyone doing that risks hurting themselves as much as they hurt the other guy.
nbgiant25
Doesn’t work that way. Stanton would still have to approve a claim, even on waivers.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
You mean besides something called the CBA. Sorry that was probably a little to harsh, but yeah he can’t be optioned without consent. But I realize that is a joke. So heard on.
BoldyMinnesota
I’m sure theres nothing against that, but no free agent or marlin would ever sign a contract with them again
therealbdavis
Just trade him to LA for the rest of his contract and some no name minor leaguers.
Ironman_4life
This is going to turn into the Colin Kaepernick saga again. Every day there’s gonna be a story about where this guy doesn’t want to go or what team doesn’t want to sign him
stymeedone
Too late. Its already happened. Or are you just new to the site?
Jean Matrac
I don’t see NY or LA trading for Stanton. They both have CBT issues. I do see Stanton remaining on Miami’s roster. The whole motivation for a trade was to clear money from the books. Both NY and LA are going to want Miami to eat a large portion of the salary to stay below the tax threshold thereby negating the whole purpose in trading Stanton.
The Marlins are better off trading as many of their other assets to get to their salary goal as they can. Having someone take the bulk of Stanton’s contract would have been a big step in achieving a $90m payroll, eating a big part of it won’t. I think the Marlins have little motivation to help either LA or NY.
Pax vobiscum
No resolution before the Winter Meetings.
Wainofan
Anyone see possible three team deal between cards or giants and yanks or dodgers? Stanton goes where he’ll approve, miami gets deal they’ve agreed to. Cards or giants get???
Jean Matrac
The missing part of what the Giants or Cards would get is a huge part of any 3-way deal. And what happens with the contract? Miami wants to get out from under it. The Yanks and Dodgers aren’t willing to take it. To make the Marlins, and Yanks or Dodgers happy, the Cards or Giants would have to take on the salary without getting Stanton. I doubt that either the Cards or Giant would do anything like that. There’s no motivation at all to spend money to aid the Marlins, to trade Stanton, or the Dodgers or Yanks to acquire him
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I mean wouldn’t surprise me if the Cards targeted Ozuna or Yelich. They probably have a somewhat basic framework of players the Marlins like that would help facilitate a trade of either. A three team trade would be hard to envision, because it would require just a basic churning of bad contracts.
outinleftfield
Dodgers get Stanton and $7 million per year from 2021 -2028 from Marlins
Cards or Giants get Rich Hill, Adrian Gonzales, Yasiel Pig, $18 million, and $9 million in 2019 from the Dodgers.
(That is $30 million in salary relief for the Dodgers in 2018 and $9 million in 2019.)
Marlins get the prospects the Cards or Giants have already offered.
Wainofan
Anyone see possible three team deal? Stanton goes where he wants and Miami gets deal they wanted, giants or cardinals get???? With either of them putting significant money in to help out yanks and Dodgers money situations. Or taking on bad contracts. Ellsbury, a gon, etc.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Both have NTCs both aren’t waiving them.
rmullig2
In related news, I have informed the women of the world that I will limit my acceptable dating partners to the top 4 supermodels.
Excuse me while I wait for the phone to ring.
mike156
Of course, you have $285M to amuse yourself with while the top models decide if they want to date you.
GarryHarris
If I were the Marlins……
Dock_Elvis
I wondered when Gordon was dealt whether it was indicating a Stanton decision. Marlins should go after some pitching and make a run at a playoff. Most teams would love to have that OF.
outinleftfield
You missed the whole Marlins need to cut payroll right?
bravos14
What the Marlins really need is season ticket holders. 90 million salary cap is going to help put butts in the seats. I’m confused by the ownerships strategy, the Marlins were good last year, needed more luck with their health issues and a starting pitcher or three. It seems like you try to build off that not tear it down, its year one of a new regime. The fans will obviously respond to a scale down and show up in droves. I know there’s talk of a new tv contract in the future and the losing of x amount of money annually but show some balls and strike while the iron is hot. Just seems like a wasted opportunity to put some excitement in a non-excited baseball city. This New Group seems ill prepared so far but hopefully they get it together.
rtr5953
should just swap him for heyward and schwarber then flip heyward to Giants
seamaholic 2
No one wants Heyward at all and Schwarber isn’t worth half of what Cubs fans think. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
southbeachbully
I don’t think it’s fair that people want to make Stanton out to be a bad guy. Maybe he genuinely likes playing in Miami. After all, he could’ve become a FA and signed with the Dodgers or whoever if he waited until 2016 (I think). And as a FA he most certainly would’ve received a 8-10 year deal at $25 mil per or more. Following his 6th season (2015) he would’ve been a young 26 yo slugger who’d averaged 30 hrs a year. Looking at what Cabrera @ age 31 signs for 7 x $31 mil, Cano @ age 31 signs for 10 x $24 mil, Prince FIelder @ age 29 signs for 9 x $24 and Pujols @ age 31 signs for 10 x $24 mil. It’s very conceivable that he would’ve easily been offered at least a 8-10 year deal @ $25 mil given that he could’ve been a FA at age 26.
He was promised that the team would not do exactly what’s being done now. Obviously, it was promised by the previous management team. However, maybe Stanton love Miami enough to suffer thru the rebuild for 3 years, become a FA and go to a city he would really love to play in, Can we really fault him for that?
kelticknotz
I totally agree with you. When they bargained for his contract it was fair and above board. Realistically is any player worth that amount, no way but a career is short and you get what you can. Marlins signed the deal and now Jeter and the new group bought the team and if they didn’t know what the contracts were then they had no business buying the team
Fact is Jeter and his partners have bought the team but their pockets aren’t deep enough to take on star player contracts. “Tough”
If I was Stanton I’d say I want t be traded to whatever team with exactly the same money and terms in my current contract otherwise I’m here for the next 10 years.
bravos14
My thoughts as well. This is a Miami Marlins ownership problem, nothings changed since Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter signed their names on the MLB ownership approval forms. I thinking they should have thought about Stanton’s contract and position of power before putting pen to paper.
I wonder if Mr. Jeter has had that one on one conversation with his MVP player yet? I expect that decision can be placed in the “regret box”, hopefully for the Marlins fans the decisions to come this offseason are given the upmost thought and respect for all parties involved.
bravos14
I’ve got an idea, I recall reading in the past couple of weeks that the Marlins ownership was still looking for investors, I think Mr. Stanton would make an excellent owner/player. I’m only half kidding, think about it…………………………………………see what I’m saying.
beard
oil up your gloves boys, the fish are about to be in the market for some budget players
driftcat28 2
If I’m the Yankees, I’d rather have Stanton at 10 years/250 MM than Harper at $350+ MM. maybe even unload Ells or Headley. Do it Cash!
ray_derek
I would agree
yanks02026
But stanton is always hurt and only had one year over 40 homers. Thats what pro harper fans say, but harper is also hurt a lot and has only had ONE YEAR with over 30 homers. He’s not worth the money he’s gonna ask, so yeah I agree with you about wanting Stanton more then Harper.
dschap02
Agreed… dump Els to the fish !! But as a Yankee fan, I’m tired of hearing about this tax BS… are they going to lower ticket prices when they’re under ? I wish George was still around.. Stanton would have been a Yankee a month ago.
Pax vobiscum
No one in the league wants “Els.” LOL
davengmusic
Astros get Stanton and take on $20M/year for however long the contract ends up being.
Marlins get Preston Tucker, one of JD Davis or Tyler White, Collin McHugh and some AAA pitcher (Brady Rogers maybe).
They want the contract off the books? Take these guys who would be upgrades on your gutted team. It’s pretty one-sided, but Jeter painted himself into a corner.
22222pete
I thought he gave the Marlins a list of teams he would waive his NTC for last month. Why would the Marlins waste time in discussions with teams not on the list. Or were these teams on the list but Stanton changed his mind?
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
Wishful thinking on the part of Marlins. The Giants and Cards offered the most. No harm in throwing them out there to Stanton.
outinleftfield
He changed his mind.
Expos_1994
Why would Stanton go lose with the Giants for the next 3 years and lose about 6-7M of income.
The Giants are a bad roster they need to tear that team down.
Bunch of overpaid old players who would help you turn the corner even with Baumgarter.
SheltonMatthews
While I agree that Stanton has every right to say, I will only accept a deal to this list of teams. The flip side of that is, that list of teams actually has to want to trade for him, otherwise it’s pretty pointless. Unless one of those teams steps up, he’s pretty much stuck on the Marlins until one of them does, or he decides he is willing to go somewhere that will trade for him.
Solaris601
I have to fault Stanton here. He knew weeks ago he didn’t want to go to STL or SF, but he let it play out any way. Let him stay in Miami and languish. The rest of the league is ready to move on from this side show.
Phil253
No player in baseball is worth $300mil and no player is worth 200mil. The game is being destroyed by these (fill in the blank) contracts. Yes free agency is one of the best things to happen to the game, but honestly could be its downfall. No player given a qualifying offer this year is worth 17mil a season… it’s just ridiculous and don’t get me started on the state of hitting. Homers are sexy, but they are only one small part of the game. But no one cares so screw it.
sammysosa
hahahahehehehehehahhooooooo