Marlins GM Says Giancarlo Stanton is Unavailable

According to Marlins general manager Dan Jennings, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will not be available this off-season.  Tweeted Jim Bowden of ESPN:

Stanton, who turns 24 in five days, had a triple slash of .249/.365/.480 last year in an injury shortened campaign.  In 504 plate appearances over 116 games, Stanton hit 24 home runs, 26 doubles, drove in 62 and scored 62.

Jul 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a two run RBI double during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Stanton made $537,000 in 2013, and is arbitration eligible for the first time this off-season.  According to MLB Trade Rumors, Stanton is likely to receive a salary around $5 million in 2014.

Thoughts:

Anything anyone connected with the Marlins says should always be taken with not just a grain, but a mountain of salt.

This is the organization that pulled a fast one on Miami taxpayers in order to get their new ballpark built, and the front office that told Jose Reyes to buy a house in Miami a few days before they traded him to Toronto.

If the Marlins are 100 percent set on keeping Stanton, that’s the end of any trade discussion.  If, however, they’re again floating nonsense, Stanton’s name will probably start to be included in trade rumors by the time the Winter Meetings roll around in a month.

The Mets are in need of a young, impact outfielder, and Stanton would obviously be a tremendous fit (as he would be for nearly every other team in baseball).  If he’s made available, the package needed to acquire him would likely be astronomical.  However, that’s to be expected for an inexpensive 24 year old who has superstar potential.

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