It’s more likely than not that star Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will be moved this winter. Rumors ramped up on this possibility during the season, and have since taken on a life of their own.
Among the teams mentioned as potential suitors for the 2017 MLB home run king, the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants seem to be front runners.
Though, the list of teams that could take on the remainder of Stanton’s $325 million contract is limited to large markets. That’s simply the financial reality in today’s MLB.
Fresh off winning the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers are seen as a potential suitor for Stanton. They obviously have the financial capital to add his contract and would fit the outfielder’s preference of joining a contender.
This doesn’t mean a deal will be worked out. According to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times, the Marlins and Dodgers have talked Stanton. Though, there’s little momentum in said talks.
Sources: While Dodgers have made contact with Miami re: Giancarlo Stanton, there is little momentum to those talks. Could change, but for now, shrug emoji.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) November 15, 2017
Under the new Derek Jeter-led ownership group, Miami is looking to cut payroll in a big way. In fact, a fire sale could be looming this winter. That doesn’t mean the Marlins will be willing to take less than market value for a 28-year-old outfielder that hit 59 homers and drove in 132 runs last season.
It must also be noted that the Dodgers have both the financial and minor league resources to work out a deal here. The team boasts one of the best farm systems in baseball and a nearly uncapped payroll. That could play a major role moving forward in negotiations.
It’s something to keep an eye on as the MLB hot stove season kicks off.