Giancarlo Stanton isn’t walking through that door. Or is he?
Red Sox fans have long clamored for Stanton, building countless fantasy proposals in the hopes that the Miami Marlins slugger someday could wind up in Boston. CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman now thinks the Red Sox might make a strong offseason push for Stanton in light of what Boston accomplished before last week’s Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline.
“I think Boston is looking ultimately for Giancarlo Stanton. And hopefully in their mind will package some of their young players to get him,” Heyman said Tuesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Gresh and Zolak.” “I think (Will Middlebrooks) is a potential trading chip, and he needs to show that he can get back to where he was a couple of years ago and perform at that level. He’s a big, right-handed power hitter that’s cost efficient and has good value as long as he’s producing.”
Middlebrooks’ inclusion in any potential deal obviously is speculation put forth by Heyman. However, the baseball insider’s comments again bring to light an intriguing scenario in which the Red Sox, who have a stacked farm system, spin their plethora of young talent into a legitimate major league slugger currently in his prime.
The Red Sox have made it clear they intend to contend in 2015, and adding Stanton would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal. Boston already added some offensive firepower at the trade deadline by landing Yoenis Cespedes and Allen Craig, but neither player boasts Stanton’s potential.
Stanton entered Wednesday hitting .293 with 26 homers, 74 RBIs and a .393 on-base percentage this season. Plus, he’s just 24 years old. Miami has stated several times that it plans to build around Stanton rather than trade the two-time All-Star, but there’s a widespread belief that the Marlins eventually could look to deal him if they’re unable to work out a long-term contract extension.
“I do see right field as a spot where Boston — and they’re not the only ones — and the Dodgers will be two of the most aggressive in looking for Giancarlo Stanton to be their right fielder,” Heyman said.
Stanton might not walk through that door. But the Red Sox probably will leave it open a crack, just in case.
