The Marlins are “willing to engage” other clubs in trade talks regarding Giancarlo Stanton, tweets MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. That much has already been clear — Yahoo’s Jeff Passan indicated yesterday that four clubs had already had some level of dialogue with the Marlins regarding Stanton, who has cleared revocable waivers — but Morosi adds that there have yet to be any serious negotiations regarding the current MLB home run leader. Stanton is the hottest hitter on the planet right now, but he’s also owed a staggering $298.64MM through the end of the 2027 campaign. And while he can technically opt out after the 2020 season, doing so would mean forfeiting the remaining seven years and $218MM on his deal as he heads into his age-31 campaign. Stanton also has a full no-trade clause, which only adds a further layer of complexity.
A few more notes from the National League…
- After an injury-ruined 2016 season, Padres third baseman Cory Spangenberg has begun to force his way into the team’s plans, writes MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. Spangenberg tore his right hamstring on two different occasions last year and was limited to 14 games, and he opened the 2017 campaign in Triple-A El Paso. The former first-round pick finally received regular playing time in the Majors this summer, and he’s run with the opportunity while thoroughly impressing manager Andy Green, Cassavell writes. “He was angry about being in the Minor Leagues, thought he belonged in the big leagues and handled it right,” Green added. “He’s gone out and proved it. He’s earned his spot.” Spangenberg entered play Wednesday hitting .280/.333/.442 on the season and .336/.413/.617 in the second half. The strong play of Spangenberg and second baseman Carlos Asuaje has pushed Yangervis Solarte to shortstop in recent weeks.
- Right-hander David Hernandez tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that the Diamondbacks organization feels like home, and just a couple of weeks into his second stint with the team, it “kind of feels like [he] never left.” Hernandez discussed his struggles in recent seasons with Piecoro and also credits the addition of a slider to his fastball/curveball repertoire as a key factor in his resurgence. Hernandez acknowledges that he was wary of using the new pitch in Spring Training with the Giants, as he was trying to earn a roster spot and was reluctant to use a pitch that he had only recently adopted. He began mixing it in with the Braves’ Triple-A affiliate, though, and the results have been terrific. All three of Hernandez’s offerings carry positive pitch values (per Fangraphs), and he’s posted a 2.01 ERA with 9.2 K/9 against 1.8 BB/9 through 40 1/3 innings this year.
- The Reds may have more question marks in their pitching staff heading into the final six weeks of the season than they did entering the year, writes Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The cavalcade of injuries that has beset the team’s rotation has deprived the Reds of looks at a number of young arms and also created uncertainty around preseason rotation locks such as Anthony DeSclafani and Brandon Finnegan. A six-man rotation could be on the horizon, Buchanan notes, and Robert Stephenson is already set to rejoin the rotation this weekend. Manager Bryan Price also indicated that right-hander Sal Romano will continue starting, per Buchanan. The skipper also indicated that righty reliever Austin Brice could be done for the year due to a lat injury.
I suppose Loria had planned to sell before the Stanton contract actually cost him real money, but I wonder (we likely won’t know this) if whether the contract burden was taken into account in the final offers the bidders made.
Serious question: do you think it could have been more if Jose Fernandez was still alive (and outperforming his contract?)
Didn’t the Marlins try to trade Fernandez to the Dodgers but the Marlins were asking for Urias and Seager?
It was reported in Dec 8, 2015 that ARZ engaged MIA in a deal for Fernandez that would have included: Patrick Corbin, Dansby Swanson, Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair, and Brandon Drury. MIA called off the talks stating he was not available. ARZ pivoted and consummated a deal with ATL, taking off a few parts, for Shelby Miller, which allowed them to keep Drury & Corbin.
No way of telling the truth of this, but the Miami Herald reported it. I generally thought that it was because of this that ATL ended up with such a high package for Miller. ARZ already was comfortable with parts they needed to include for a potential TOR arm, so it became easier to part with them even if they didn’t get their top choice.
That’s an interesting question. I suppose if I were a prospective purchaser I would look at the surplus value of every contract, although more as a means of building a winning team. But stars are also marketable, so I’d think about how I could use Fernandez in outreach to the community, to attract a bigger box office and better TV deal.
It’s highly doubtful that one player would change the selling price of an organization. Hernandez was a terrific talent, but no one person is a savior for a baseball team. When business executives look into purchasing a team—a business—they look at how much revenue the team generates (gate receipts, TV contracts, radio contracts, merchandise, etc.), its obligations and its debts, and make a valuation on it from there. One player, no matter how “valuable” or “great” he is perceived, in the clubhouse, community or on the mound, is going to change that valuation all that much. Especially not since purchasing a club is an enormous undertaking and a player has a limited shelf life.
Come on Angels
Angels already have 60m+ committed to DH and CF over the next 3-4 seasons with Pujols and trout, then have to worry how much trout will cost after that. A SP corp in a shambles and then take on another 30m+ OF contract with the worst farm system in the game?
This isn’t intended to be a nasty critique, just attempting to get priorities straight for Anheim, who would think is probably looking to acquire some SP this off season after Richards setback and Shoemaker’s issues with injuries this past season.
there is no way the angels can afford him, they need to save that money for pitching and another trout extension.
The Angels only have five players under contract for next season. Seven if you include Street and Nolasco who have options, which I doubt either will be picked upped. Then you have players, who under team control. The Angeles will only have those five players making 8 million or more. With pay raises for players under team control the Angels will be just above 100 million in team payroll, when free agency opens up. They will need a left fielder, considering that Maybin and Revere will both be free agents. And no one currently in the minors ready to play the outfield next year. So yes they could add Stanton and still have the money to sign pitchers this off-season.
They don’t have the trade chips to land Stanton
It wouldn’t shock me if they let even Trout walk. Ultra-high contracts, even for ultra talents, come back to bite the signing team. Trout is signed through his age 28 season. 10 to 12 years, if he performs at anywhere near this level, is not improbable. Since Trout must know that, the Angels extension offer would have to be at least at the low end of that range. Trout might give a home town discount, but he’s less likely to give away $100M
The prospect cost wouldn’t be that crazy because of how cumbersome the contract is and the fact that there is the opt out after 2020
Mike156, did you suppose the angels let mike trout walk? That’s crazy talk
You do realize that baseball goes by average per year not what that players salary is each season don’t you? Pujols signed a 10 year 250 million deal. Even though he is making over 30 million this season. Only 25 million counts against the team payroll. Because it averages to 25 million per season.
Um, this isn’t remotely true.
no thanks, If your gonna spend big that’s not who i want. I’d rather sign the moose this offseason and have extra money.
Ok who is going to play left field next year? I am with you for Moustakas. But the Angels will need a left fielder. Move Calhoun to left and put Stanton in right.
Who are you giving up to get Stanton? I don’t think you realize you don’t have the pieces to get him
With Stanton’s contract, there isn’t many teams that could afford to take it on. And there is even fewer teams that he would want to be traded to. So the Marlins won’t be able to ask for as big of a haul, as they would under normal circumstances.
You keep talking about Stanton but haven’t yet submitted a hypothetical trade proposal. The Angels have no chance at acquiring him.
we can find a good lordy fielder that doesn’t cost 295 million. If Angels are gonna go big at some point again, it shouldn’t be on stanton
left fielder****… sorry
Matt Thaiss, Jaime Barria, Jahmai Jones how is that for a start?
Eppler definitely should have been able to get more than Luis Madero for Hernandez. I’m not saying a top-prospect but maybe a little bit more than a 20 year old rookie leaguer with an ERA north of 5 this season.
Angels has a mediocre farm system and Madero couldn’t even crack the top 30. They would have been better off keeping him for their wild card push
the only way the angels could make this trade is if the marlins are eating a lot of his contract, The angels do not have the prospects to get him, but imagine a line up with trout and stanton.
People like you are why are world is going downhill.
rental reliever market was awful for sellers, and really every position. Eppler did fine
Pat Neshek begs to differ.
So do Joe Smith and Francisco Liriano. I’m ecstatic with the return on both.
Liriano got a surprisingly good return your right there. However… watson, cingrani, kintzler, reed and jeffress off the top of my head didn’t get much
Love for the padres to lock up soangy if the contract is reasonable.
Buyout his remaining arb years for 2 fa year and 1 club option.
Never heard of soangy, and that’s interesting because I pride my self in knowing about all players of all teams.
Spangy* there.
Ah yes, I have heard of him. Just wait to the league adjusts to him.
I hope not, I’d much rather they trade him while his value is high and Solarte. They still have Asuaje/Urias as 2B/3B options and Schimpf/Rondon as bench guys
Yeah I agree. It’s nice to see Spangenberg getting into a groove, but it’s probably smarter to see if he can sustain this production, or just trade him now that his value is rising since they have farm depth. Remember when everyone thought Chase Headley was a rising star after the 2012 season? The Padres shouldn’t make that same mistake again.
Chase Headcase wanted to walk, Spangy wants to hit. He was a hitter in college, and has kept it up except for the injuries. 2nd base is his best position, so he will probably be traded. Forsythe, Gyorko, now Spangy…got to keep them eventually!
Chase Headley’s ability to get on base was a very good thing, Spangenberg walking at a low % is a bad thing. Spangenberg will be lucky to have 1 season that is better than any of Headley’s 5 best year. The 2 aren’t remotely comparable in the sense that headley was very good, this is probably just a fluke.
edit: you really brilliant enough to come up with the insult of one of the most underrated players in padres history? Please learn the game
Solarte’s numbers are better than Headley since that trade. Headcase looked at more third strikes than any other player….grounded into more double plays…and you think he is one of Padres best….
Philip with one L….don’t make your posts personal insults … Juvenile stuff.
Chase Headley leads the Padres in fWAR since 2000. He was a above average hitter and really good defender, he was really good for the Padres. Please find a new sport where you can maybe give semi accurate analysis
Chase overall #’s dwarf Solarte and now plays 1B on playoff contender
1 good year let’s rush to sign him aka Myers
What would a return for Stanton look like? If there’s already four teams, Miami has leverage, even with the huge contract.
Maybe a top 30 organizational prospect and another flyer. And that’s if the team takes on some of that albatross of a contract. Nobody’s going to pay much for that juicer.
Is it an albatross contract? We’re not talking about a 32 year old star signed through him being 38, we’re talking about someone who will only be 28 before next year. Conventional wisdom suggests a players best years will happen until he’s 32 or 33, minor decline until 35, then sharper decline. So we’re talking about a team getting a solid proven player for at least 8 years.
While the monetary commitment is high expect the Marlins not to just give him away to get him off the books. A major piece will have to be moved.
As for him being a juicer, I don’t recall him ever being suspended. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. But if I’m not, please do not disparage a player because he’s showing great power.
An albatross? Mike Trout will earn $32 mil per for each of the next 3 years.and that’s a contract signed without any competitive offers. Bryce, if healthy, will easily be in the $32-35 mil per range. Miguel Cabrera is set to earn between $30-$32 mil per from now until he turns 40 in 2023 and has 2 more vesting options. Stanton will never earn more than $32 mil in any one year. In 2-3 years, if he’s still a productive bat, his salary, while amazing in terns of it’s length and totality, will pale in comparison to others. As long as he can stay healthy, which has it’s risk considering his frame, he should be well worth his salary.
From a marketing standpoint the Marlins shouldn’t even consider trading him. They can take calls and listen but letting it be none they’ll consider trading him sends a bad message to the fan base.
Mike Trout is younger, not signed for 11 more years, a lot better, and without the injury risks. His deal is a big bargain and not at all comparable to Stanton. Miguel Cabrera’s contract is awful and that’s how the last 5 years of Stanton’s deal will look like
The 2018 free agent class is going to change everything about contracts. Stantons deal will be the going rate for a super super star at that point. They should hold onto him until then so the contract wont look as bad
they were saying the nationals were looking at him too plus the giants and angels, If the nationals did swoop in for stanton, they can kiss harper goodbye.
But imagine the nationals outfield for the time being
It matters how much money Miami is paying. By my calculations Stanton is on a 11/285 mill contract after this year (10/270 guarenteed). If Miami is willing to pay 100+ million they can still get a strong return if it’s under 75 million it’s unlikely they’ll get a top 100 prospect
Mets fans don’t have anything to look forward to in the 2018 sweepstakes. Cheap Wilpon’s won’t be able to lure any legitimate stars with Bobby Bonilla type contracts that guarantee money until the year 2100.
Gonna catch some grief for this but the Padres have the system and just dumb enough to make this happen.
To do what? Trade for Stanton? Nope
Glad to have Hernandez back with Dbacks.
Stanton Phillies
Jeter and MJ will shut this nonsense down! Trade the best power hitter in the game? NFW!