The leverage the Marlins possess in ridding themselves of Giancarlo Stanton’s contract is the alternative.
If Miami keeps the reigning home run king, it will sell off other top players to ensure that one way or another, the payroll is slashed.
That’s what the Marlins told Stanton in October, according to the Miami Herald, who reported that while the threat was not posed as an ultimatum, it shows how the Marlins are trying to persuade their superstar to waive his no-trade clause for anyone. Stanton, 28 and in his prime, has said he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild.
Under the new ownership — featuring, you might have heard, Derek Jeter — the team is on a mission to reduce payroll, preferably starting with Stanton’s 10 years and $295 million. Stanton, coming off an MVP season in which he hit 59 home runs and drove in 132 runs, has a no-trade clause and is not eager to bail on his home. And if he does move, his preferred landing spot is believed to be the Dodgers, who likely cannot afford his contract.
If he won’t be amenable to a trade, according to the report, Miami will strip the team of salary elsewhere. Outfielders Marcell Ozuna (projected to make $10.9 million next season through arbitration) and Christian Yelich (who’ll make $43.25 million over the next four years) would be on the block. It stands to reason Wei-Yin Chen would be in danger, too, part of an already-bleak rotation, who makes $42 million over the next three seasons.
Stanton has given the Marlins a wish list of where he would like to be, The Athletic reported. The Cardinals and Giants reportedly have made formal offers for Stanton, but as the Hot Stove has cooled, interest in Stanton is mostly speculative. The Red Sox are believed to have some level of interest. The Rangers and Phillies also reportedly will be in the mix for a sweepstakes that doesn’t have an end in sight.
As of two weeks ago, Jeter said he had not yet spoken to Stanton directly.
Under Jeter’s leadership, the Marlins have greatly redecorated. The front office was hit hard — four advisers were laid off and then offered to be brought back with diminished salaries. Jeter also poached Gary Denbo from the Yankees to head the Marlins’ minor league operations.