The Miami Marlins have a track record of trading away their top players. Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton might be the next on the list to depart South Beach for greener pastures.
Miami did not trade Stanton before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline and has been adamant about keeping the All-Star outfielder. Stanton will not become a free agent until after the 2016 season, but the team said it wants to sign him to a long-term deal. Some within the Marlins organization, though, are not optimistic about signing Stanton to an extension, sources told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Friends close to Stanton say he is looking to play for a team that consistently wins, something the Marlins have not done in recent years. The last time the Marlins posted a winning record (2009), Stanton was playing in the minor leagues.
The news potentially could be good for the Boston Red Sox. Heyman said earlier this week that Boston could make an aggressive push for Stanton. Coupled with newly acquired left fielder Yoenis Cespedes, the Red Sox could have a powerful outfield if Stanton were traded to Boston.
If Stanton is on the trade market this offseason, teams in need of an outfielder will almost certainly make a huge push. It’s not a every day a player of Stanton’s caliber is made available. So far in 2014, Stanton has a league-leading 27 home runs and a lofty .935 OPS.
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