More good news for the Giants on the Giancarlo Stanton front. According to a report by Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald, Stanton “will not accept a trade to either the Red Sox or the Cardinals” this offseason.
A baseball source said yesterday that he’s been told Stanton will not accept a trade to either the Red Sox or the Cardinals, another team linked early and often in trade rumors. Perhaps there’s some flexibility in that stance, but Stanton’s preference is a factor.
As is the Red Sox’ ability to make such a deal. Trading for Chris Sale, Craig Kimbrel, Drew Pomeranz and Tyler Thornburg has left the minor league system relatively bare, and their best remaining trade chips are Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi, two players the ballclub would like to keep in the lineup.
This news would seem to reinforce an earlier report by Bob Nightengale of MLB Network, where he stated that the Giants are leaders in the Stanton sweepstakes this offseason and that they’re easily his first choice. There is also the fact that the Red Sox are not looking to offload any more young talent in exchange for Stanton and his massive $285 million contract. What once seemed like a possible fit is now looking like a non-starter, and that has to make Bobby Evans and Co. smile.
Here’s what Nightingale said three weeks ago about the Giants’ chances of landing Stanton:
“Yeah I still believe they are, and I’d be shocked if they don’t have Stanton or J.D. Martinez playing for them next year,” Nightengale said when asked if the Giants are still the frontrunners to acquire Stanton. “It’s going to be one of those guys for sure. You know they’ve got plenty of money, they don’t have prospects. Obviously if you sign Martinez, it doesn’t cost you any prospects, and same with Stanton. The Marlins want to dump his salary so bad, you’ve just got to eat most of it. Not $285 million worth, but $200 or $225 worth and then give them some fringe prospects, because they just don’t have those top top quality prospects.”
