Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton’s mammoth contract isn’t as immovable as it appears, says FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (video link). Stanton has a full no-trade clause, but he’ll likely waive it if the up-for-sale Marlins begin tearing things down, which Rosenthal expects to happen. Further, Stanton would even “talk about his 2020 opt-out,” according to Rosenthal, who points out that the Marlins could facilitate a deal by eating some of the $295MM left on his accord or taking back an expensive contract from a potential trading partner. Rosenthal adds that Stanton’s annual $25MM luxury tax number won’t seem nearly as burdensome as it currently does when soon-to-be free agents such as Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sign more expensive deals.
More pre-deadline rumblings from Rosenthal:
- The Astros’ two most untouchable prospects are outfielder Kyle Tucker and right-hander Forrest Whitley, sources told Rosenthal. Houston was unwilling to trade a package including Tucker to the White Sox for Jose Quintana over the winter, and the 20-year-old has since hit .272/.317/.544 in his first 124 plate appearances at the Double-A level. Tucker ranks as Baseball America’s 15th-best prospect, while Whitley, 19, isn’t on the list. The 6-foot-7 Whitley’s only a year removed from going 17th in the draft, though, and he has held his own in Single-A this season with a 2.91 ERA, 13.01 K/9 and 4.08 BB/9 in 46 1/3 innings.
- With the Red Sox in desperate need of a third baseman, it would make sense for them to pursue Pirates utilityman Josh Harrison, posits Rosenthal. Harrison, controllable at affordable rates through 2020, has recovered from an injury-hampered 2016 to slash .289/.369/.449 with nine homers and 10 steals across 338 PAs this season. If the Red Sox were to acquire Harrison, he’d presumably hold down third for the rest of the year, but it’s unclear what would happen after that. Boston has top third base prospect Rafael Devers on the way, after all, while Harrison’s other positions (second base and the corner outfield) belong to Dustin Pedroia, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi.
- While the Mets are indeed “open for business” as the deadline nears, some of their top trade chips might not bring back much if the team is unwilling to eat money, notes Rosenthal. Outfielders Curtis Granderson (around $5MM remaining on his contract) and Jay Bruce ($4.3MM), first baseman Lucas Duda ($2.5MM) and infielder Asdrubal Cabrera ($3MM or $5MM, depending on what happens with his $2MM buyout) come with enough money left on their deals to hamper their trade value.
If JHay gets traded, then Huttington should be laid off.
Not if Huntington was offered the moon for Jhay.
It would never happen, but if Boston offered Devers for Harrison, I’d fire Huntington if he didn’t make the trade.
They are not going to trade Devers for Harrison! That would be a trade that would get people fired in Boston!
Sox fans wanna fire people all the time..you guys treated Francona like dirt!
Famine, great point on Francona. I miss Tito and, agreed, he deserved much better treatment.
Hey eventually all managers in every sport either retire or get fired! Look at Phil Jackson , Tom Coughlin, etc
Of course, but it’s how you relieve a manager of his duties. Tito deserved far more respect than he was given.
I think everyone needs to remember that regardless of how Devers is hyped, he has never played a day in the majors not a day beyond double AA and at least you can look at a major league track record for Harrison, whether you like him or not.
Every prospect that comes out of Boston is ‘the greatest ever”. Beware what you ask for Pittsburg.
Pittsburgh has an ‘H’ 🙂 (fairly common mistake)
yeah you are right about Devers but i still doubt Boston would offer that. But also after Devers and Groome Boston really doesn’t have much that the pirates would be looking for at the right value. If a deal is going to happen one of those two would need to be in the deal, Devers would make the most sense for the Pirates given their third base situation.
A better target for the Sox might be Freese. Lower salary, solid fairly consistent performance in the field and at the plate and can slide over to first when Mitch is gone. And the best part.. won’t cost the biggest prospects.. but would require a fairly decent haul for the pirates to let him go.
DD isn’t trading Devers for a player like Harrison. You are correct!
Wasn’t he trying to find a team to take Harrison as a salary dump this offseason. What kind of package would it take to get him now that he looks like he’s back.
As a Pirates fan, JHay and Tony Watson to the Dodgers made sense to me before the season started and given that the Bucs are in fringe playoff contention and nowhere near World Series contention, it makes more sense now. Watson is a rental that can lengthen the bullpen a bit and Harrison can start at second and play third or corner outfield as necessary for 10.5 and 11.5 million the next two seasons. Dodgers can pay that, Pirates can’t. Verdugo would certainly be asked about but more likely Calhoun or Buehler +? Or Diaz or Lux ++?
Let’s trade Cole, Cutch, Harrison and Watson to the Dodgers for their AAA team.
Why not? It’s been done before.
If he doesn’t trade him would be the greater crime. Harrison has done this before and then followed it up with a couple of clunker seasons. Cash out now. He can be replaced.
By, “Harrison has done this before” you mean that ONE MVP type season and then spent the next two season battling injuries. before that he didn’t do a lot being labeled by the ‘Media’ and ‘Fans’ as a defensive liability and well below average hitter.
Even in those two ‘down’ injury plagued seasons he was still pretty decent across the board better than league average in some advanced stats… lower in some as well.
I doubt he will give that MVP candidate performance again though. Interesting note though.. J-Hay is already near his career high in walks this season (not counting his HBP)
Is Stanton one of the top 5 position players in the game? His current contract would be difficult to move and he wouldn’t be smart to opt out of his current deal. On the other hand, how much money do you really need if it looks like he wants a ring?
If he could stay healthy and play 140+ games per year, then yes, he would most likely be in the conversation for top 5 position players. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for him.
If he stayed healthy, he might be as good as Judge.
I’ll take a healthy Stanton over judge every time. Problem is, we’ve never seen a 160 game Stanton and probably won’t ever.
Way to understand sample sizes.
Let’s see what happens after the league gets half a seasons worth of tape on Judge. Then see how long it takes Judge to adjust to pitcher’s new approaches.
I don’t know if you’ve heard of technology and every team employing people to study players. You’re argument is as tired as Stantons stays on the DL.
I don’t even think Stanton is in the top 5 at perfect health. I’d take Trout, Harper, Arenado, Bryant, and Betts as my top 5. I don’t even think Stanton would crack the second top 5 of Goldschmidt, Correa, Votto, Posey, and Machado.
I wouldn’t put Bryant in the top 5 either.
If you don’t, then Bryant likely fits into the 6-10 or even 11-15 range. Which is still likely ahead of Stanton
You’ve got to be joking!
Ur high sayingStanton not in the top 10..
What makes him a top ten player? Because he hits balls really far?
Triple slashes for the past three seasons:
Stanton: . 255/.339/.537
Altuve: .326/.380/.501
Harper: . 293/.418/.552
Trout: .311/.426/.592
Mookie: .300/.354/.504
Arenado: .292/.344/.567
Correa: .284/.362/.491
Votto: .319/.443/.562
Bryant: .280/.380/.521
Josh D .287/.385/.551
Goldy .311/.425/.542
Six of those guys alone have a higher AVG, OBP, AND SLG! That’s not even considering the fact that the majority are also elite defenders, most of good speed, most play a premium position or more than one position, and Stanton can never stay healthy. And that’s not even including the Bellingers, Judges, Turners, etc.
Even when he’s healthy and productive like this season, his numbers don’t compare. Best power hitters in the league? Yeah, he’s top three. But he won’t hit for average, doesn’t walk much, won’t do much on the basepaths, and give you, at best, slightly above average defense at a corner outfield spot (IF he’s healthy). Not even in my top 20.
He’s probably one of the top 5 hitters, but he has no other tools really, which drags his overall value as a player. I’d say he’s top 20 ish.
Stanton is a very strong man playing baseball. See Dave Kingman.
Dave Kingman’s mom says “thank you”.
Harrison would be a great add but would cost more then the Sox can give up… they need a rental
Todd Frazier, especially in Fenway Park!
Of the rentals, Frazier should be the guy. Sox lack power and he has it.
He’s also decent defensively at 3B, a pretty good base runner, more athletic than most players at the hot corner as a former middle infielder, can play 1B and fill in it at DH and would also be an excellent clubhouse presence for any contender including the Red Sox.
You covered it all Aaron…. I agree 100%.
What would you give up and would the WS have to pay some salary?
Best of luck to the Astros on acquiring that front line starter they want without trading Martes, Tucker or Whitley
Nobody wants Fisher, Paulino or Reed.
Martes was not listed as an untouchable.
Can’t trade a suspended player. Why is Tucker untouchable? He’s not a top 5 prospect and they’re loaded with controllable OF. It’s not like Springer is suddenly going to be bad.
Yes you can. But a team would be unlikely to try and acquire one.
Tucker might not be top 5 today, but he is probably top 10-12 and could be higher. He was the #5 pick two years ago and has a .905 OPS and 147 wRC+ between A+/AA as a 20 year old this season. It’s not that surprising that Houston would want to hang onto a player who has the potential to be a special bat.
Please provide an example of a suspended player being traded.
Just because there hasn’t been one, doesn’t mean there CAN’T be one.
Read the rules under th CBA and for once I concur with Just Another Fan. Oh to save you time..no they can’t.
Martes was said to be untouchable during the off-season. “Stros said he was too big a part of their near term plans to trade.
If the Astros still feel that way, I would agree it would be tough to make a strong enough offer. I could even understand that thought process if they were talking about trading for a rental, but I have to wonder if they are getting 2.5 years of a TOR SP if they would still be against trading him.
The article said that Tucker and Whitley were the untouchables, not necessarily Martes. Going off of that info, I think the Astros could make a very strong offer for Gray without those two “untouchables” being included. A package of Martes (55 FV), Fisher (55) and one of their low level SS like Arauz or Nova would be the type of return I would expect for Gray.
Article used the phrase “two most untouchable prospects”.
It sounds almost like an oxymoron on one hand or can mean most or more untouchable than any other prospect. Perhaps they could have used the term least likely to be traded?
even that is overpaying for Gray
I didn’t know a frontline starter was available? JQ, Sonny Gray, and Gerritt Cole are not frontline.
You’re confusing front line with ace.
Semantics.
Frontline or top of the rotation starter could mean an ace/#1 or even a #2 depending on the the staff in question. For instance, none of those pitchers might be a definitive MLB ace but all would be considered top of the rotation starters in their current rotations.
Derek Fisher is the most pro-ready prospect in the Astros’ deep farm system. He showed he belonged in the big leagues during his stint with the team. Agree with you on Paulino and Reed. It will be extremely difficult for the Astros to trade for the likes of Jose Quintana (still ace-caliber) or Chris Archer without packaging the trade around Tucker/Martes/Fisher/Musgrove. The White Sox set a precedent with their great hauls for Sale and Eaton.
If the Marlins can trade Stanton (which is a big “if”), they should and immediately. That is a huge contract for that team and the longer it takes – any injury to Stanton and his trade value will disappear fast!
He really should go the AL so that he can DH
I know Stanton makes to much money to be a DH but imagine him stepping in the shoes of David Ortiz in Boston!
Lol
Betts is such an athlete. Do you think he could play third? Hey, he used to play 2b before coming to the majors.
not on the fly in the middle of the season and it’s not worth moving him from RF where he is so good
Good points! I’d bet the Sox feel the same way..
The Panda was such a bad deal that it led to Shaw being traded and no third baseman currently. For all of the hype surrounding Boston, they sure do need to add an impact bat. It’s amazing how valuable even an old Big Papi was to that lineup.
Good Call “Former Draft Pick”—-This could be the solution , move Betts to 3 B, and insert Chris Young into Left and move Bene to RF. Bring up Brentz, who appears to be reaching the potential the Sox had for him, as their fourth OF’der.
OR trade for Frazier and leave the OF in tact. The Sox need that added protection in the middle of the order. How’s this order?
Betts, Bene, Pedroia, Boggie, Hanley, Moreland, Frazier, JBJ, Leone/ Vaz—Frazier extends the order nicely.
I noticed Holt was in the PawSox lineup last night which could potentially solve some issues. In addition Pablo was the DH and had a dinger.
A utility player as the solution..Good one
madmc44 and exactly what are you going to trade to the ChiSox for Frazier?
Do you think, with all the talk about what the ChiSox want for their “trade pieces” that they would except a low level package for somebody that obviously just might right the ship in Beantown.
And yes, I know Frazier is just a rental but it just doesn’t seem obvious that the ChiSox would accept a dog package when there will be other teams that just might see Frazier as the missing power bat piece down the stretch.
Don’t think Boston has that much left on the farm that is judged as major league ready talent, which the ChiSox would most likely want in a trade.
Frazier is a two month rental. He’s not bringing the White Sox a haul of talent.
Frazier won’t cost much. Salary relief and MAYBE a prospect like Cedrola.
Well I agree but convince the ChiSox of that…so far all indications are that the want major talent back for anyone they send someplace else.
Good luck.
Good take…… A young guy with some upside from the lower tiers of the farm Or a player closer to Boston that doesn’t fit in the Red Sox plans.
Not a top 10 Boston prospect. White Sox fans may disagree.
Frazier is the play. Betts is the fight fielder. He isn’t moving.
Seems like quite a few good posters here. Try http://www.sportsplusmore.net if you like to chat. We are mostly Red Sox and Yankee fans but would welcome your opinions. and input on all teams.
Check the site out.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out… I agree Frazier is probably the Sox best bet to fill the 3rd base hole, especially with that pull power swing of his.
Absolutely. He thrived in that Cinci ballpark.
RS maybe better off with a LH bat to balance the lineup but Frazier in Fenway fills the biggest need.
From what I’ve seen; these players are severely over-hyped :
Rafael Devers is not a super star in the making.
Sonny Gray is an average pitcher.
Jose Quintana is an average pitcher
Todd Frazier is not a good 3B
1. he might be, he’s a prospect so we have no real clue but he’s got as good of a chance as any.
2. not an ace but above average and cheep
3. same as 2
4. agreed
You can’t be serious with Harrison …… A 5’8″ third baseman
You can’t be serious with the comment about 5″8″ players…see Altuve, Toreyes of the Yankees etc…..Altuve seems to be on some run for a smaller guy…showing power with year with 11 homers which may or may not be aided with a juiced ball.
Harrison’s value is his ability to be an everyday player and play all around the diamond. He’s not perfect, but how many players changing teams are?
Where did the Mets fans go? I guess that they have clicked to the right on their iPhone MLB TradeRumors app and are getting ready for preseason NFL. They will be easy to site in the days ahead wearing their jets green helmets.
Back on point, the Mets’ old laundry sale will produce zero talent and give a modicum of financial relief. However for the CHEAP Wilpons, a buck is a buck.
Cole,McCutchen,Harrison,Freese,Watson Cervelli,etc are all Guy’s who are or should be available to trade.Our team knows that in no shape or form are they ready to contend for anything right now.So by trading these guys we need in return a good group of players that we can build back up a team to contend in two or three years.We also must get rid of Hurdle as manager as he is a total waste of time and he can’t even get control of his players as when he tells them he is taking them out of the game and they get in his face he backs down and changes his mind and let’s the player control him…..The Pirates are a mess and need a complete overhaul
Hurdle looks like manager of the year next to the Mets ‘TC’ who Ned’s a committee of players to talk sense into their ‘star’ players.
Why in the hell would they trade Jay Hay