Thanks to an improbable late-season rally, the Marlins entered Saturday a game over .500 and 4.5 games behind Colorado for the National League’s last wild-card spot. They’re not going to attempt to sell veterans such as 49-home run right fielder Giancarlo Stanton or reliever Brad Ziegler anytime soon, then, Rosenthal suggests (video links). Dealing Stanton during the season looked extremely unlikely even before the Marlins’ recent run, given his enormous contract (10 years, $295MM left after this season), the opt-out in the deal after the 2020 campaign and his full no-trade clause – not to mention the team’s impending ownership change. Nevertheless, the Marlins have been getting calls on the surging 27-year-old, according to Rosenthal, who reports that teams have been offering packages consisting of prospects, salary relief and major leaguers for Stanton. Miami has not seriously considered any offers to this stage, but if Stanton’s incredible performance keeps up, proposals from other clubs should only get more appealing, Rosenthal posits.
Ziegler, meanwhile, could have interested contenders looking for bullpen help. The 37-year-old has posted some mediocre-at-best numbers this season (4.73 ERA, 4.73 K/9, 3.15 BB/9 over 40 innings), but the ground-ball machine (66.6 percent) has worked 11 straight scoreless appearances and is under control in 2018 for a fairly reasonable $9MM. He and Stanton have each reportedly cleared trade waivers this month, freeing them up for August moves, though it looks like a moot point in both cases.
More from Rosenthal on the Marlins and two other clubs:
- Whether Tigers left fielder Justin Upton continues his torrid pace through September and whether he’s willing to stick with a rebuilding team will help determine his opt-out decision after the season, Rosenthal says. Upton, who has been one of the majors’ most valuable outfielders this season, will have a chance to walk away from the four years and $88.5MM left on his deal in hopes of landing a similar or better pact elsewhere. If he chooses to exit Detroit, facing less competition on the market than he did when he was a free agent in 2015 and not being eligible for a qualifying offer would aid him in his search for another big payday, Rosenthal notes. As a free agent a couple winters ago, Upton inked a six-year, $132.75MM pact with the Tigers despite being part of a class of available players that included other star-caliber outfielders in Jason Heyward, Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon.
- On account of their unexpected success, the Marlins seem to be on the lookout for rotation help, though president of baseball operations Michael Hill told Rosenthal that the starters who have cleared waivers in August are “not inspiring at all.” Stuck with the likes of Vance Worley and Justin Nicolino in their rotation, the Marlins could promote minor league left-hander Dillon Peters, per Rosenthal. The 24-year-old Peters has posted impressive numbers across 45 2/3 Double-A innings this season, with a 1.97 ERA, 7.88 K/9 against 2.17 BB/9 and a 46 percent grounder rate, and MLB.com ranks him as the Marlins’ fourth-best prospect.
- The Nationals would like to retain contract-year manager Dusty Baker past this season, GM Mike Rizzo informed Rosenthal. The Baker-led Nats have gone 171-117 since he took over in advance of the 2016 campaign and are coasting to a second straight NL East title. Baker has said on multiple occasions that he wants to remain with the Nationals, but he’s also aiming for a pay raise.
I would be very surprised if Upton did not opt out after this season. Even if by chance he didn’t beat his guaranteed contract(he will) he would come very close.
Agreed. Barring an injury he is all but a lock to opt-out.
As a tigers fan, I think he stays unless hes certain that he can land more years past the 4 year contract. Hes become comfortable playing in Detroit.
Good on him for living up to the hype behind his fat contract. Now he will be able to have that choice to opt in or out since hes played so well.
Unsure he beats 4 yrs 88 million. Who is going to sign him? The teams with the money and desire to sign an unathletic corner outfielder don’t have a need. Compare to the deals Bautista and Encarnacion received.
4yrs/$88M is very doable for Upton. He’s younger than either Bautista and Encarnacion, and while he’s not an elite or even good fielder, he’s not the one dimensional player those two are. And Upton will have a bigger market as well, with a few teams looking for upgrades with the Giants appearing as the biggest team in need.
I don’t think Upton is unathletic at all he’s already got 10 steals and plays solid defense. Comparing him with the two guys you did is apples and oranges.
Funk, how old are you? Do you even watch the Tigers? Saying Upton is in-athletic isa dumb informed statement.
Why would he stay in Detroit if they are not going to put a team on the field that can compete for a playoff spot?
If you read the article you know that he is going to be in a market with less competition at his position and he is coming off a very good season. He will easily get more money than he is owed.
Never thought he would opt out. Give him credit for having a great year and timing
is everything. Teams though may still be concerned about his immense talent on one hand and career health and playing inconsistencies in the other. I can see him opting out to explore and then if there are no better opportunities, actually resigning with Detroit. While they are rebuilding, he’s young enough to keep and if they and up trading JV, it’ll appease the fans. Funny how 4 and.22 looks reasonable now…
Might be a bit wary of collusion and the fact that big market teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and Cubs wont be players for his services. For whatever reason corner OFers dont seem to be in big demand. In the AL the only team I see that could be interested and able to afford him is Texas. Not as familiar with NL teams need and ability to pay though
I could see the Marlins trading Stanton this winter with the new ownership in place. They might be able to pay down some of his salary and get some top prospects for him. A team like the Yanks might give the Marlins some good propects like Green, Sheffield,, Frazier, and Solek for Stanton.
Yanks wouldn’t touch that! That is so far one sided it’s just-just-just laughable.
That’s all? Shouldn’t the Yankees have to throw in Judge, Sanchez, and all the statues in monument park as well?
Nope. They’d also have to add the ashes of a former Yankee great to be named later.
Yankees don’t have a shot at landing Stanton since they don’t have Refsnyder anymore.
LOL
Nats reassign baker
I don’t see any teams giving up talent to pay Stanton. I think a lot of people feel the same way.
As another Tigers fan I’m hoping he does opt out. No point in paying another fat contract to a guy on a team that most likely won’t contend for a few years.
Why? If not for the opt out you could trade him for prospects.
Trade him for prospects? Like we did JD? There just isn’t a big market for players like Upton right now. Last offseason demonstrated teams are getting smarter.
Well if there’s no market for players like him then no way he opts out. His agent isn’t stupid.
True but a bit crappy to trade a guy who chose to stay with you when he could have walked. Business is business though.
Stanton’s surge has been incredible but if I were Miami, I’d trade him if a team is willing to give me 4 quality prospects/MLB players and is willing to eat at least 75 percent of his contract… Regardless… it’s inevitable he gets traded because Miami won’t be a serious contender because of their lack of pitching, and as a Marlins fan, it’s prettt unfortunate to think what could’ve been had Jose Fernandez been alive and a part of this race :/
If Justin Upton does not opt out, it shows that he cares more about. money than he cares about winning.
So what?
I really hate when player are judged on whether they “want to win” or not. You can’t predict if another team will win for sure. There’s not a player out there who doesn’t want to win. Some more than other of course. But what about loyalty to the team or city and how about family considerations? See Carlos Beltran/Yankees. How’d that work out?
The Marlins will trade Stanton, but their recent success prevents them from doing so by 8/31. He’s a guaranteed producer, but not even 200 RBI in a season can justify the staggering contract for a team in that market. I also don’t see Upton opting out no matter what he does through season’s end. No way he exceeds 4 years/$88M in this winter’s market ALTHOUGH the Mariners and Giants both have screaming needs for that type of player in their OF.
There was never any chance he was going to go in august. Couldn’t be dealt for anyone on another teams 40 man, no way it could get done.