Posted on November 27, 2017 by Bryan Zarpentine
Image via usatoday.com
As we move closer to the MLB Winter Meetings, we are slowly gaining clarity when it comes to the trade rumors revolving around Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The latest reports imply that there could be a resolution to the situation by the start of the Winter Meetings. Right now, a lack of clarity with regard to what the Marlins will do with Stanton appears to be holding up the rest of the hot stove season.
Stanton himself is responsible for the increased clarity on the situation. Jon Morosi reported Monday that the Marlins have received a list of teams to whom Stanton would approve a trade. This indicates that Stanton knows that a trade is inevitable and is helping things along. It also means that the Marlins can focus on communicating with the teams on Stanton’s list.
Of course, exactly what teams are on that list or how many teams are on the list remains a mystery. However, Morosi reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the teams Stanton has included. This is by no means a surprise, as Stanton is from southern California. But it does fuel speculation that Stanton could put the Marlins in a situation in which they have no choice but to trade him to the Dodgers.
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
So far this offseason, the Cardinals and Giants have been the teams most connected with the Marlins regarding Stanton. The Giants appear to be making a strong push and may be willing to take on most of the nearly $300 million remaining on Stanton’s contract. Meanwhile, the Marlins may prefer to do business with the Cardinals. St. Louis has the stronger farm system and appears willing to trade one of their top pitching prospects to Miami in order to land Stanton.
Until now, the Dodgers were not considered favorites to land Stanton compared to the Giants or Cardinals. Of course, with the resources the Dodgers have, there’s little doubt that they could trade for Stanton if they wanted to. Los Angeles has not been shy about spending in recent years, so they would certainly be able to handle Stanton’s contract. The Dodgers also have plenty of young talent in their organization, so finding players the Marlins would want in a trade shouldn’t be a problem either.
The question is whether or not the Dodgers want to add Stanton’s contract to their payroll and give up talented prospects. Los Angeles was one win away from a world championship this past season, so whether or not they need a player of Stanton’s caliber to get them over the hump is debatable. At the same time, the Dodgers have shown a willingness to do whatever it takes to win a World Series. That definitely points to the Dodgers putting forth some effort to acquire Stanton.
At this point, we know that both the Cardinals and Giants have made formal trade offers. We also know that Stanton has not rejected any trades. However, it’s hard to shake the notion that Stanton is hoping for a trade to Los Angeles. All offseason, the Giants and Cardinals have been seen as the favorites to land Stanton. But it’s possible that the Dodgers are the new favorites.