Yasiel Puig For Giancarlo Stanton?

Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Yasiel Puig for Giancarlo Stanton… I will just let that sink in for a second…

The internet has been busy today producing rumors that center around a trade involving the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins swapping right fielders. To be clear, it appears that these are centered around a discussion on the MLB network yesterday, in which Matt Vasgersian suggested that it would be a good fit for both teams to make the deal. From the best I can tell, this is analyst speculation and not actual reporting, however Peter Gammons interjected his two cents and backed the idea of the trade.

Now once Gammons gets involved, you can believe that the rest of the baseball universe is paying attention. This, far from potential deal, got me thinking, how would this impact the Marlins.

Puig is in the early stages of a 7 year, 42 million dollar contract with the Dodgers. Not exactly chump change, but not a horrible contract for the production either. Stanton is heading into arbitration eligibility which means he will certainly get paid, although likely on a year to year basis barring a long-term contract. The jury is still out on whether Stanton would commit to the Marlins for the future.

I would not make the deal if it was Puig for Stanton alone. I think Stanton has more value and, while Puig is intriguing, I don’t think he has the upside that Stanton has. If the Dodgers were to take Gammons advice and throw in a prospect to go along with the trade, I think it would begin to enter the realm of possiblity.

Lets say the Dodgers included shortstop prospect Corey Seager, the 19-year-old younger brother of Kyle. Many people project him to be more of a third baseman due to his 6’4″ frame and 215 pounds. For me, I see a left-handed hitting Troy Tulowitzki. I expect him to be major league ready in 2015, right around the time frame the Marlins front office is hoping to make a run at the postseason.

If this offer were to be on the table, I think the Marlins would be crazy not to take it. Stanton has voiced his displeasure in the way the Marlins have handled things recently and may not be willing to sign a long-term contract. This would give them a solid left side of the infield for the future (with Colin Moran at third base) and can you imagine Puig and Jose Fernandez on the same team? The excitement would be off the charts. No doubt people would buy more tickets to watch the Cuban duo, which is all Jeffrey Loria is really after.

I think the trade would benefit the Dodgers as well. They would definitely be giving up a lot with Puig and the prospect, but the Dodgers are built to win now, not later. By injecting the powerful Stanton into that lineup, it would be something to see.

I would like this trade for the reasons outline above. For me, the only other trade that I would be chasing would involve Xander Bogaerts and the Boston Red Sox. If the Marlins could somehow obtain him in a trade with prospects, then they would be foolish not to. This trade would be similar to the Marlins acquiring Hanley Ramirez years ago. That memory could prevent Boston from making such a deal though.

What do you think about the possibility of these trades? Have a trade of your own? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.