By Jordan Long
Miami Marlins’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton is leading the league in home runs with 51. Stanton could be traded in the offseason. The tricky part about a trade is his current deal has 11 years remaining on it and an average salary of $25 million per year. They will possibly trade him because the Marlins aren’t going to be a contender and have a new ownership group which includes former New York Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter who bought the team in August for $1.2 billion. There are four teams who would like to trade for him, the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and the Philadelphia Phillies. Where should he go?
The Giants are a team who could use Stanton in the outfield. They have Denard Span and Hunter Pence still under contract. Adding Stanton gives them another outfielder and an arm to throw out batters trying to advance. At the plate, Stanton provides more power to a dangerous lineup.
The Giants need another outfielder but the problem is Stanton’s salary. San Francisco is paying Pence $18.5 million and Span $9 million next season, totaling $27.5 million. With the addition of Stanton, that total is $52.5 million for the outfield. That is way too much money and might be the most expensive outfield in all of baseball.
The Cardinals should push hard to acquire Stanton. They are rebuilding this season and could be in the playoffs in the next few years. St. Louis has Dexter Fowler and Stephen Piscotty, but they don’t have another outfielder under contract. Fowler can play center field and Piscotty would shift to left, allowing Stanton to be in right. The Cardinals might possibly be the team to beat in the N.L. Central.
The Texas Rangers are another team searching for an outfielder once the season is over. They need an upgrade in right field because they don’t have an all-star at the position. Stanton is a fit for this team and will fix the outfield problems.
The Phillies don’t make a whole lot of sense. They are not in a position to make a push for the playoffs this season or next. Adding Stanton is a waste of money. Stanton can’t be the only player in the lineup getting on base and hitting the long ball.
The Marlins are better off keeping Stanton. He is their best hitter and they can build a winning team around him. Stanton should be on the team if and when they win a World Series. It would be a shame if they let him go and he wins a ring with another team. Hopefully the Marlins will keep him.
Where should Giancarlo Stanton end up?
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