MLB Trade Rumors: Should the Marlins Deal Giancarlo Stanton?

The Miami Marlins got off to a surprising start in 2014. As late as May 8th, they were in first place in the National League East. Since then they’ve gone 11-20 and after losing to the New York Mets, they enter the All-Star break at 44-50. Despite the team’s struggles, slugger Giancarlo Stanton is having an excellent season.

Stanton, who is still just 24, is playing in his fifth major league season. He dealt with injuries in 2013, and produced a slash line of .249/.365/.480 for a 135 wRC+ and 2.3 fWAR. Good numbers to be sure, but below his lofty standards. This season he’s been healthy, and it’s showing. The Marlins slugger is posting career highs in batting average and on-base percentage with a .295/.395/.538 line. Overall he has 3.8 fWAR, which ties him for 6th in baseball.

While the Marlins have reiterated that Stanton is not available, they may want to reconsider their position. He’s under team control for two more seasons, before he hits free agency during the 2016-17 offseason. Though they’ve shown some promise this year, it’s unlikely that the Marlins will be competitive before Stanton becomes a free agent. Barring a catastrophic injury there’s no doubt that he will command a huge contract, one that is probably beyond the Marlins means. It’s important to remember that Stanton is only slightly older than many of the prospects that he could be traded for.

Besides having a bevy of young talent, any team that trades for Stanton must also have the resources to sign him to a long-term extension. Though the Marlins have undoubtedly fielded calls from several teams, only a few have the talent and money to be serious suitors. For instance, the Yankees, who would certainly be in on the bidding if Stanton were to hit free agency, don’t have the prospects to swing a deal.

The Boston Red Sox have both the talent and money to make trading for Stanton feasible. They would have to part with Xander Bogaerts and at least two other good prospects. Another big market team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, certainly has the money, but they might not be willing to part with the prospects. A package built around outfielder Joc Pederson and younger prospects Corey Seager and Julio Arias would get the two teams talking.

The Texas Rangers were mentioned in Stanton trade talks this offseason. Unfortunately for them, infielder Jurickson Profar has missed the entire season with an injury, which has put a dent in his value. They have further young talent with second baseman Rougned Odor and catcher Jorge Alfaro. The Minnesota Twins have several good young players, but they won’t deal No. 1 prospect Byron Buxton, and power-hitting Miguel Sano is sitting out the 2014 season with Tommy John surgery. The Chicago Cubs, the most prospect-rich team in baseball, definitely have the resources to trade for Stanton, and could be serious suitors if they feel like they can extend him.

In the end, only a select few teams are in the right place to make a serious bid for Stanton. The Marlins aren’t in contention this year, and Stanton might not want to sign a long-term deal with a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2003. Unless they can lock him up, moving him makes the most sense.

General Manager Dan Jennings has insisted that Stanton is not on the trade block, but if one of the above teams is willing to pony up three or four top notch prospects, he would be wise to change his stance.