http://nypost.com/2014/10/28/trust-issues-complicate-marlins-long-term-talks-with-stanton/
[h=1]Why $30M a year might not be enough for Marlins to keep Stanton[/h]By Joel Sherman
October 28, 2014 | 5:37pm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Giancarlo Stanton sat with Hank Aaron last week. He could soon be in the same conversation with the great sluggers of today – at least, contract-wise.
Stanton, who was presented the Hank Aaron Award as the NL’s best hitter by Aaron at the World Series, will soon be given something potentially worth a whole lot more. The Marlins are intending to make the slugger a long-term offer to stop being the most popular name in trade rumors and, instead, become the cornerstone of the franchise.
Whether that number will climb high enough to truly tempt Stanton and whether Stanton will tie himself to an organization he has expressed doubts about in the past 24 months is uncertain.
Marlins officials refused comment to me, saying that because they are about to embark on more serious discussions with Stanton they are going to honor a policy not to give updates during the process.
One official who is in regular contact with the Marlins described them as fully committed to doing a deal and said they recognize the contract probably has to average $28 million to $30 million annually to get a player of Stanton’s status to sign long-term.
Mike Trout’s six-year contract averages $24.083 million, but he signed last spring training, four years before he could be a free agent and without even having gone through the arbitration system yet. Stanton is due to be a free agent after the 2016 season and already made $6.5 million in 2014. Keep in mind the last three years of Trout’s contract are for $33.25 million annually – coinciding with what would have been free-agent campaigns.
Stanton is not as good an all-around player as Trout is. But he is nevertheless a brilliant player coming off his best season. He turns just 25 in two weeks and is perhaps the foremost power hitter in the game at a time when power is hard to find.
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Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey LoriaPhoto: AP
However, even if the Marlins make a substantial offer, there are questions what Stanton will do. To open a new stadium in 2012, the Marlins made huge investments to sign Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell, then traded each the following offseason. Stanton, in particular, was outspoken about his disappointment.
However, in the time since, Miami has begun to put the pieces in place for a potential contender, particularly with perhaps the best young outfield in the majors with Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcel Ozuna. The mercurial nature of owner Jeffrey Loria and the lack of fan enthusiasm in South Florida create uncertainty over how long they will stick to a plan. Plus, Loria has never given a player a no-trade clause. After seeing Reyes and Buehrle traded, in particular, it would seem almost certain Stanton would insist on a no-trade clause or not sign long-term. Reyes’ six-year, $106 million contract is the most the Marlins have ever given out.
If the Marlins are unable to sign Stanton to a multi-year deal, he will again become the most popular name in trade rumors. However, Marlins president David Samson told the Miami Herald at the conclusion of the season: “He’s on this team (in 2015) either way. I can’t wait until after the season to sit down with Giancarlo and (agent) Joel Wolfe and talk about contract. We’re ready. We want him to be a Marlin well past his arbitration years. We hope that he believes in us and believes in Miami and believes in the direction of this team and recognizes that he has a chance to be the leader of a successful team for many years to come.”
[h=1]Why $30M a year might not be enough for Marlins to keep Stanton[/h]By Joel Sherman
October 28, 2014 | 5:37pm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Giancarlo Stanton sat with Hank Aaron last week. He could soon be in the same conversation with the great sluggers of today – at least, contract-wise.
Stanton, who was presented the Hank Aaron Award as the NL’s best hitter by Aaron at the World Series, will soon be given something potentially worth a whole lot more. The Marlins are intending to make the slugger a long-term offer to stop being the most popular name in trade rumors and, instead, become the cornerstone of the franchise.
Whether that number will climb high enough to truly tempt Stanton and whether Stanton will tie himself to an organization he has expressed doubts about in the past 24 months is uncertain.
Marlins officials refused comment to me, saying that because they are about to embark on more serious discussions with Stanton they are going to honor a policy not to give updates during the process.
One official who is in regular contact with the Marlins described them as fully committed to doing a deal and said they recognize the contract probably has to average $28 million to $30 million annually to get a player of Stanton’s status to sign long-term.
Mike Trout’s six-year contract averages $24.083 million, but he signed last spring training, four years before he could be a free agent and without even having gone through the arbitration system yet. Stanton is due to be a free agent after the 2016 season and already made $6.5 million in 2014. Keep in mind the last three years of Trout’s contract are for $33.25 million annually – coinciding with what would have been free-agent campaigns.
Stanton is not as good an all-around player as Trout is. But he is nevertheless a brilliant player coming off his best season. He turns just 25 in two weeks and is perhaps the foremost power hitter in the game at a time when power is hard to find.
<a class="post-image" href="https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/loria.jpg">Modal Trigger
However, even if the Marlins make a substantial offer, there are questions what Stanton will do. To open a new stadium in 2012, the Marlins made huge investments to sign Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell, then traded each the following offseason. Stanton, in particular, was outspoken about his disappointment.
However, in the time since, Miami has begun to put the pieces in place for a potential contender, particularly with perhaps the best young outfield in the majors with Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcel Ozuna. The mercurial nature of owner Jeffrey Loria and the lack of fan enthusiasm in South Florida create uncertainty over how long they will stick to a plan. Plus, Loria has never given a player a no-trade clause. After seeing Reyes and Buehrle traded, in particular, it would seem almost certain Stanton would insist on a no-trade clause or not sign long-term. Reyes’ six-year, $106 million contract is the most the Marlins have ever given out.
If the Marlins are unable to sign Stanton to a multi-year deal, he will again become the most popular name in trade rumors. However, Marlins president David Samson told the Miami Herald at the conclusion of the season: “He’s on this team (in 2015) either way. I can’t wait until after the season to sit down with Giancarlo and (agent) Joel Wolfe and talk about contract. We’re ready. We want him to be a Marlin well past his arbitration years. We hope that he believes in us and believes in Miami and believes in the direction of this team and recognizes that he has a chance to be the leader of a successful team for many years to come.”
