Jun 26, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) singles in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Amidst all the Ricky Nolasco trade rumors and the ridiculous notion that the Miami Marlins are currently going through another fire sale by trading Nolasco, Marlins fans can smile today, as Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has some good news to report. The Miami Marlins have no intentions of trading Giancarlo Stanton in the immediate future.
People associated with the Marlins have told Rosenthal that Stanton is not as angry about the Marlins’ fire sale this past offseason:
"Stanton, according to some with the Marlins, now seems more comfortable with the team’s direction, pleased with the budding talent around him. Others, however, say he is simply adopting a more positive outlook, making the best of a difficult situation – one that soon will include a trade of his close friend, right-hander Ricky Nolasco."
Ken mentions that the Loria wants to build his team around Stanton and rival scouts and executives say “the franchise is again teeming with young talent.”
However, Rosenthal cautions that an extension between the Marlins and Stanton is still “highly unlikely” right now and that Loria could always change his mind and trade Stanton as soon as this offseason.
According to Rosenthal’s sources, “Loria is hell-bent on winning in the near future – and proving that he made the right baseball decisions when he tore apart his roster.”
If you remember, the Marlins traded Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante, Edward Mujica, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio, and John Buck in the last calendar year. Rosenthal points out due to the trades, the Marlins had the 5th best farm system in baseball, according to Baseball America.
Ken points out that the Marlins have a formidable duo at the front line of their pitching staff, in Jose Fernandez and Nathan Eovaldi with Jacob Turner and the soon returning Henderson Alvarez as decent options behind them. He also mentions righty Anthony DeSclafani and lefties Justin Nicolino and Andrew Heaney as prospects performing well in the minors right now.
On MLB Trade Rumors, Tim Dierkes makes a good point about the Marlins and future free agents:
"How interesting would it be if this team made significant acquisitions during the offseason? Top free agents would be extremely wary, but money talks and trades remain possible."
If Loria decides to add some free agent pieces to the nice young core the Marlins have right now, it could go a long way in rebuilding trust with Stanton as well as the fans.
But then again, this is Loria. He can change his mind tomorrow and Stanton will be gone. As Rosenthal mentions at the end of his article:
"In that scenario, the Marlins are better off keeping Stanton than trading him.At least for the moment, that is their plan."
Stay tuned to Marlin Maniac for the latest updates on all rumors and draft signings.