Plenty of big-name players pass through waivers, unclaimed, in August prior to the August 31 waiver trade deadline.
Giancarlo Stanton was the biggest name to pass through this year, clearing the way for the Marlins to trade him to any team they want.
There are obviously two big parts to getting a deal done: Stanton’s insanely gigantic contract commanding $325,000,000 over 13 seasons (with a possible opt out in 2020) and the return for the Marlins in such a move.
Miami is in the middle of an ownership swap, with a group led by Derek Jeter taking the reigns of the franchise, looking to dig it out of the muck and mire.
The latest trend — a successful one — among MLB teams has been to tank hard, invest in scouting and compile an impressive stock of prospects and let them mature together into a contender. It worked with the Cubs last year and appears to be working with the AL-leading Astros this year.
If that model is the future of baseball team-building, the Marlins will no doubt be looking to cash in on Stanton, 27 and in his prime (leading baseball with 45 homers) at the peak of his trade value.
Reports have said that as many as 11 teams could be interested in Stanton, with big market teams able to open their cash reserves to take on his gigantic contract. Among those teams rumored to be interested are the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies.
The Yanks and Sox have already relented a lot of their farm system, whether by promotion or by trade earlier this summer. The Phillies may have the prospects to move but are likely better served keeping their prospects and jumping in during the 2018 offseason when Manny Machado and Bryce Harper become available. The Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Blue Jays and Cardinals all have an interest, and the Nationals likely would too if they lose Bryce Harper to free agency.
The Marlins are in complete control as the deadline approaches. If they don’t get an offer that knocks their socks off, they can simply hang on to him until the offseason. Or until next year’s trade deadline.
With so many teams interested and the talent level Stanton boasts so high, the price for Stanton could get higher and higher as time drags on. Thus, interested teams have motivation to try and get a deal done sooner.
