The New York Yankees appear to have made the biggest splash of the major league off-season, acquiring reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins on the eve of baseball’s winter meetings in Orlando, Fla.
Several media outlets indicate a trade agreement is in place, but is pending the outfielder’s consent and the Yankees’ approval of Stanton’s physical, person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday.
Second baseman Starlin Castro would go to Miami as part of the trade, a second person familiar with the negotiations said. A third person said the Marlins would also receive prospects Jorge Guzman, a right-hander, and Jose Devers, an infielder who is a cousin of Boston prospect Rafael Devers.
The third person said the deal calls for the Marlins to send $30 million US to the Yankees if Stanton doesn’t exercise his right to opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the 2020 season.
The 28-year-old Stanton was said to have invoked his full no-trade clause this week to reject trade offers from the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, who were considered primary finalists.
The Yankees, at least publicly, made a late charge for Stanton, who some believe was holding out for an offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miami and the Dodgers were said to have discussed Stanton ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline and remained in contact during the off-season. On Friday, it was widely he would only agree to be moved to the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Dodgers and Yankees.
Stanton hails from Panorama, Calif., and attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, about 24 kilometres from Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles, though, didn’t seem aggressive in their pursuit of Stanton after ending last season with a reported industry-high $244 million US payroll, and have $165 million committed to 11 players in 2018.
