"...after years of futility, the Marlins owner sold the team to the Captain, Derek Jeter. It seems like the Marlins are poised to clean house.
All signs point to the current Homerun King of baseball, the 13 year 325 million dollar man, being on the move." -- Miles De Rosa
This season in baseball was defined by power. Over 6000 homeruns were hit, the most ever in a season, and Giancarlo Stanton hit 59 of them. This unprecedented total led the league and made him the first to hit 59 bombs since Ryan Howard in 2006. Despite this show of offensive brilliance, the Marlins still missed the playoffs. And after years of futility, the Marlins owner sold the team to the Captain, Derek Jeter. It seems like the Marlins are poised to clean house.
All signs point to the current Homerun King of baseball, the 13 year 325 million dollar man, being on the move. Jeter (left) stepped in and immediately fired four top ranking executives that Loria, the former owner, explicitly advised he keep. On October 30th he released a statement that the Marlins would look to trade Stanton, Dee Gordon, and veteran Martin Prado. It’s clear that he’s ready to shake things up. After a fourteen year playoff drought, a rebuild that never fully came to fruition, a farm system recently ranked a dismal 29th in baseball, and the team changing hands, this team needs to be shaken up, and tearing it all down seems like the only option.
Stanton is the pillar that everyone is waiting on to fall. But a few years ago the future for the re-branded Miami franchise looked bright. They built a new stadium, a new ownership group that carried with them a promise not to follow the team's long lasting tradition of selling all the players right after they won a world series. And most importantly, they had an exciting group of young players.
In the years following the 2011 franchise shake up, the Marlins lineup was spotted with young stars. Marcell Ozuna, a now all-star outfielder, had clear potential to become a middle of the order bat. They had acquired the young middle infielder and base running extraordinaire Dee Gordon from the Dodgers, Christian Yelich started looking more and more like an all-star number 2 hitter and good outfielder. Steve Cishek was turning into a legitimate back of the bullpen option, and Stanton hit a ball 500 feet in batting practice at AT&T Park—and suddenly the Marlins were a young team people were watching.
All signs point to the current Homerun King of baseball, the 13 year 325 million dollar man, being on the move. Jeter (left) stepped in and immediately fired four top ranking executives that Loria, the former owner, explicitly advised he keep. On October 30th he released a statement that the Marlins would look to trade Stanton, Dee Gordon, and veteran Martin Prado. It’s clear that he’s ready to shake things up. After a fourteen year playoff drought, a rebuild that never fully came to fruition, a farm system recently ranked a dismal 29th in baseball, and the team changing hands, this team needs to be shaken up, and tearing it all down seems like the only option.
Stanton is the pillar that everyone is waiting on to fall. But a few years ago the future for the re-branded Miami franchise looked bright. They built a new stadium, a new ownership group that carried with them a promise not to follow the team's long lasting tradition of selling all the players right after they won a world series. And most importantly, they had an exciting group of young players.
In the years following the 2011 franchise shake up, the Marlins lineup was spotted with young stars. Marcell Ozuna, a now all-star outfielder, had clear potential to become a middle of the order bat. They had acquired the young middle infielder and base running extraordinaire Dee Gordon from the Dodgers, Christian Yelich started looking more and more like an all-star number 2 hitter and good outfielder. Steve Cishek was turning into a legitimate back of the bullpen option, and Stanton hit a ball 500 feet in batting practice at AT&T Park—and suddenly the Marlins were a young team people were watching.
They always had one key component missing, however, and that was starting pitching. Enter Jose Fernandez (left). The second coming of Fernando Valenzuela. Fernandez, airing from the embargoed Cuba, threw a fastball that had scouts thinking “ace” the first time he ever wound up. And then there was his slider. A pitch that could have people thinking of him as one of the best pitchers ever. Though his delivery to the plate was ferociously quick, and his pitches dauntingly powerful, he played the game like he was still a kid. Always smiling, laughing with his teammates, throwing joking trash talk at other players and just simply having fun. But he had numbers that had the rest of the world thinking of him less as a goofy kid playing the game he loved, and more of a stopper. A man who could win a game when you needed it, and make opposing hitters look foolish in the process.
Fernandez came into the league and was pegged to the National League all star team in his first year, posting an ungodly, league leading, 2.19 ERA in 172 innings of work. During his next two years he was held to under 100 innings due to injuries, but the talent never left him. His fourth season in the majors Fernandez remained injury free as the Marlins flirted with October baseball. Posting a sub three ERA for the third time in his career, he was named to his second All-Star team posting a Major League leading 12.5 strikeout per nine mark. His FIP, or Fielding Independent Pitching (a stat developed to estimate a pitcher's ERA if his team's defense was average) put his ERA with an average defense at 2.30, the lowest of any full season in his career. To put it shortly, when Fernandez arrived in Miami he gave the Marlins direction, and hope.
Unfortunately, at the end of this dominant season, tragedy struck one of the young faces of Major League Baseball. On September 25, 2016, this vibrant, young star was declared dead due to a boating crash off the Florida coast before the sun rose. This tragedy struck the baseball world and its fans, forever carving Jose Fernandez into the minds of the community. Not just of what could have been, but as what we had lost. An electric player who played with great emotion, fire, and a mature mix of poise and exuberance. He is someone irreplaceable in the community, as well as in the clubhouse and on the field.
Unfortunately, at the end of this dominant season, tragedy struck one of the young faces of Major League Baseball. On September 25, 2016, this vibrant, young star was declared dead due to a boating crash off the Florida coast before the sun rose. This tragedy struck the baseball world and its fans, forever carving Jose Fernandez into the minds of the community. Not just of what could have been, but as what we had lost. An electric player who played with great emotion, fire, and a mature mix of poise and exuberance. He is someone irreplaceable in the community, as well as in the clubhouse and on the field.
Over the next couple of days, a massive mourning for a lost star transpired collectively around baseball, which culminated in Dee Gordon (below) hitting an arcing, emotional home run into the right field stands of Marlins park, crying while he circled the bases and got back to the dugout. His teammates were quoted later saying they’d never seen Gordon hit a ball that far before. Gordon himself said it was for Jose.
But as this went on, the Marlins front office was left with a question: what to do next? Jose Fernandez was a once-in-a-generation player. A pitcher whose image may never be seen again in the sport. Even if the Marlins had the assets to trade for another young pitcher without blowing up their core of young hitters, none would have been as polished or dominant as Jose was so soon in his career. Even if they had to the money to sign a pitcher that dominant, he would be older, on the backside of his career. There was no way the Marlins could fill this void, and they still haven’t.
On Friday September 22nd, the Marlins were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, their young core failing to make the leap to greatness once again. By now they were supposed to be ready, players matured, and talent developed. But the cracks had already began to form. The Marlins traded defensive wiz, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to the Rays in June, and Cishek has been gone for a few years now. And now, Stanton has said if the team decides to rebuild, he wants out.
Now generally, finding a trade partner for a star this caliber would be easy, but finding the right deal in this case is the challenge. The difference with Stanton is many execs have just glanced at his contract and decided to take their chances elsewhere. And I can’t blame them. Stanton’s contract not only owes him more than three hundred million dollars but lasts for ten more years, with an opt out clause for 2020. This kind of time and financial commitment has the potential to cripple a team, especially with a player like Stanton who has battled injuries in all but two of his six years in the Majors. But his talent could put certain teams over the bar.
It’s that talent that has some teams jumping at the chance to land this massive star. According to Bob Nightengale of USA today, the Giants, Phillies, Rangers, and Cardinals have all shown a serious interest in the power sensation of Stanton. It has also been reported by multiple sources that Boston has been in conversation as well.
On Friday September 22nd, the Marlins were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, their young core failing to make the leap to greatness once again. By now they were supposed to be ready, players matured, and talent developed. But the cracks had already began to form. The Marlins traded defensive wiz, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to the Rays in June, and Cishek has been gone for a few years now. And now, Stanton has said if the team decides to rebuild, he wants out.
Now generally, finding a trade partner for a star this caliber would be easy, but finding the right deal in this case is the challenge. The difference with Stanton is many execs have just glanced at his contract and decided to take their chances elsewhere. And I can’t blame them. Stanton’s contract not only owes him more than three hundred million dollars but lasts for ten more years, with an opt out clause for 2020. This kind of time and financial commitment has the potential to cripple a team, especially with a player like Stanton who has battled injuries in all but two of his six years in the Majors. But his talent could put certain teams over the bar.
It’s that talent that has some teams jumping at the chance to land this massive star. According to Bob Nightengale of USA today, the Giants, Phillies, Rangers, and Cardinals have all shown a serious interest in the power sensation of Stanton. It has also been reported by multiple sources that Boston has been in conversation as well.
The Giants: A Team That Doesn't Know They Need To Rebuild
Out of all these teams, the Giants seem like both the most likely suitor as well as the worst fit. Stanton’s family is currently in the Bay Area and he has stated that being close to family in California could potentially pull him to the West Coast. Despite this, trading for Stanton would wreak havoc on the Giants in the next 2-10 years (depending on if Stanton opts out or not). To start, the Giants are currently coming off one of the worst seasons in recent memory, and maybe one of the worst in franchise history. Two of their most notable problems contributing to this were outfield defense and a bullpen with no power at the back end. Or really a back end, as all year the closing job was in rotation. Stanton fills neither of those voids. And yes, I am aware that the Giants were last in the bigs in home runs last year, but the Giants identity when they’re successful has been keeping the line moving, defense, and lights out pitching, not homeruns.
Continuing, if Stanton played in AT&T park he would experience a drastic drop in production. Power hitters in general suffer mightily in AT&T park, but right handed hitter like Stanton do even more so. The ballpark is a pitchers park through and through, especially being that the only short porch in the stadium is down the rightfield line. Not just that but the aqua marine layer that blows in stops most would be home run balls. Finally, the last thing that Giants need to be doing right now is trying to salvage their historic run. It’s over. The front office would be best just letting it go and replenishing a grossly depleted farm system and planning for the future. Posey and Madbum can stay but everyone else should go.
Continuing, if Stanton played in AT&T park he would experience a drastic drop in production. Power hitters in general suffer mightily in AT&T park, but right handed hitter like Stanton do even more so. The ballpark is a pitchers park through and through, especially being that the only short porch in the stadium is down the rightfield line. Not just that but the aqua marine layer that blows in stops most would be home run balls. Finally, the last thing that Giants need to be doing right now is trying to salvage their historic run. It’s over. The front office would be best just letting it go and replenishing a grossly depleted farm system and planning for the future. Posey and Madbum can stay but everyone else should go.
The Phillies: Just Be A little More Patient... Please
Stanton going to the Phillies seems pointless as well. The Phillies have just started to resurface after the Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Halladay-Lee-Hamels dynasty. Though that dynasty ended in an ugly way—watching Ryan Howard tear his Achilles which effectively ended his career while running out the last play of the Phillies 2011 season—the organization seems ready to move past it. Odubel Herrera is making a nice name for himself as a legitimate centerfielder on both sides of the ball, and Nola and Velasquez could provide an exciting one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Rhys Haskins came up at the end of this year and immediately started making stadiums look small, hitting home runs at a promising pace for such young player. Not just that but their farm system still has some surprises left. Why would the Phillies ruin that by chasing Stanton,giving up a large collection of their young assets? They’re more than one big bat away from contention right now. They need to take it slow, and keep doing what they have been doing: focusing on the development of young talent.
The Rangers: They're Still Hoping They Can Bounce Back From 2011
The Rangers are the team God invented to entertain himself because he has a sick sense of humor. Including the Washington Senator years, this team has the longest World Series drought in the sport, having never won one. And not for lack of opportunity. They appeared in back-to-back fall classics in 2010 and 2011, and though they got raked over the coals in 2010, they were an out away from hoisting the World Series trophy twice in game six of 2011. To be completely honest, I don’t know where the Rangers go from here. They are going to be mired in mediocrity for the next decade no matter what they do. They’re too good to tear it all down but not good enough to make one big move and suddenly compete, so they have to sit pat for a while.
The AL west collectively had one of the weakest years since 2011, when the Rangers won the pennant, and they were part of that. The Astros dominated the whole division all year, and tho no team had a winning percentage below .450, only the Astros were above .500. And they won over 100 games this year. Though it’s clear a lack of lineup thump was part of the issue, especially with Beltre being out with injury, they still have good offensive pieces. Odor, Mazara, and Chirinos all had down years offensively, and even though Gallo hit forty home runs, he only hit .220 on the year, but all of them still have promise. Those are all good young players who they can run with, but those guys won’t be enough to win them a division any time soon with the Astros posed for dominance for the next five years. This team is more than a player like Stanton away from competing. They’re offensive numbers were middle of the road, the rotation was in the bottom third, and the bullpen was one of the three worst in the sport. Right now this team has to wait it out, and just be stuck for a while and see what comes out of it. My guess, they’ll be rebuilding in three years.
The AL west collectively had one of the weakest years since 2011, when the Rangers won the pennant, and they were part of that. The Astros dominated the whole division all year, and tho no team had a winning percentage below .450, only the Astros were above .500. And they won over 100 games this year. Though it’s clear a lack of lineup thump was part of the issue, especially with Beltre being out with injury, they still have good offensive pieces. Odor, Mazara, and Chirinos all had down years offensively, and even though Gallo hit forty home runs, he only hit .220 on the year, but all of them still have promise. Those are all good young players who they can run with, but those guys won’t be enough to win them a division any time soon with the Astros posed for dominance for the next five years. This team is more than a player like Stanton away from competing. They’re offensive numbers were middle of the road, the rotation was in the bottom third, and the bullpen was one of the three worst in the sport. Right now this team has to wait it out, and just be stuck for a while and see what comes out of it. My guess, they’ll be rebuilding in three years.
The Cardinals: Another Dynasty On The Horizon?
Now the Cardinals are actually interesting. They finally missed the playoffs in consecutive years. Finally. This team is to baseball what the Spurs are to the NBA: they’re tough, well coached, focus on fundamentals, and are always competitive. But even though it seems as though their bottomless pit of surprising clutch heroes and low budget star players may have finally run out, the Cardinals may have one last trick up their sleeves: Giancarlo Stanton. It’s no secret they need a power bat. Their pitching, both starting and relief, was good but not great. But as long as they have a guy like Stanton they don’t need it to be great. If they get him or Josh Donaldson, they will turn into an offense similar to the Astros. They won’t strike out, and they will mash. Tommy Pham has finally made the leap and came into himself. Matt Carpenter is an ideal number two hitter and if they get Stanton they can slot Fowler in the leadoff spot and push Carpenter back to the two hole. Paul DeJong got no publicity but he is as big a part of this golden age of short stops as anyone else, and I’m not just saying that. Last year he slashed .285/.323/.525, and hit 25 homeruns. He can play. There one grievance offensively last year was the lack of a power hitter, and in Stanton they would have that. On top of that, if this team got Stanton they would actually compete for a World Series, unlike any of the other teams. In fact, if they get Stanton, they may be able to create a dynasty. This seems like a near perfect fit.
The Redsox: This Would Be Fun
The only reason I say near perfect as opposed to perfect is because of the next team on this list: The Boston Red Sox. This team would be a perfect fit. They have the moveable assets in the farm system and on the big club to get this deal done. They have the financial capability to take on a large contract like Stanton’s and not be absolutely crippled, and most importantly, they have a stadium that was built for men like Giancarlo Stanton. Fenway Park was haphazardly wedged between the city streets of Boston in 1912 and when they built it, they needed to make it fit. Their solution? The Green Monster. The Green Monster is a large, green wall in left field that only stands 310 feet from homeplate. It sits in the historic stadium that esteemed Yankees pitcher David Wells once said “I want to be the guy to blow this place up,” about. A wall that Stanton once hit a ball so hard over that the time it took from his bat to the seats was just shy of three seconds. A wall that has a heartbeat, adds a life to the game, and is hard find anywhere else. In short, it is easy for right handed power hitters to hit homeruns in Fenway. And Stanton is a right handed power hitter who already has no issue hitting home runs. Fenway would make him almost unfair. And the Red Sox need a player to put up video game numbers for them offensively. Because quite frankly, their current model won’t yield any success. The Red Sox, historically, are a franchise built off a potent offense, one tailored to their stadium.
When the Red Sox broke the 86-year title drought in 2004 they were fifth in MLB with 222 home runs. In 2007, they were eighteenth with 166, proving to be middle-of-the road after the steroid era subsided, ultimately spoiling Rockies first trip to the World Series.Finally, in 2013 when the beat the Cardinals in six games, they were sixth with 178. Boston is best when the hit homeruns and last year they simply didn’t, ranking 27th with 168 long balls. Though the raw number wasn’t atrocious, comparative to the league it was. Instead of their young offense stepping up to fill the void left by Big Papi, they all had down years. Bogaerts, Betts, Bradley Jr all struggled after having break-out years in the 2016 campaign. Especially with power. The answer? Another big power bat. And Giancarlo is the biggest there is. This is the perfect fit.Just imagine this for 81 games in Fenway.
When the Red Sox broke the 86-year title drought in 2004 they were fifth in MLB with 222 home runs. In 2007, they were eighteenth with 166, proving to be middle-of-the road after the steroid era subsided, ultimately spoiling Rockies first trip to the World Series.Finally, in 2013 when the beat the Cardinals in six games, they were sixth with 178. Boston is best when the hit homeruns and last year they simply didn’t, ranking 27th with 168 long balls. Though the raw number wasn’t atrocious, comparative to the league it was. Instead of their young offense stepping up to fill the void left by Big Papi, they all had down years. Bogaerts, Betts, Bradley Jr all struggled after having break-out years in the 2016 campaign. Especially with power. The answer? Another big power bat. And Giancarlo is the biggest there is. This is the perfect fit.Just imagine this for 81 games in Fenway.
Wherever the Marlins decide to go—if they try to rebuild or retool, if Stanton lands in Texas, or Philly, or San Francisco, St. Louis, or Boston, or just stays in Miami—one thing is certain. The baseball world, its fans, will never stop watching Stanton, and men like him. Because they can do something that has captivated fans since Babe Ruth started swatting balls out of Yankee’s stadium in 1919. That thing is they can hit homeruns, create an instantaneous spark in a game built on slow change. And that will always be special.