Talk about making a splash.
That would certainly be the case for the San Francisco Giants if they were able to acquire Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.
MLB Network and Fox Sports’ Matt Vasgersian joined Gary & Larry on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of the Giants possibly making a run at the Marlins slugger.
“I think we’d agree what the Giants have lacked is a really dynamic, capable, corner outfielder. The guy that is going to drive in 120 (RBI’s), hit 30 home runs, hit for average. He’s out there this year. I think that Giancarlo Stanton could be had. Do the Giants completely rework their financials and sell out for a Stanton type player?” Vasgersian said.
The blockbuster move wouldn’t come cheap. Stanton is in the third year of a 13-year, $325 million contract he signed prior to the 2015 season. If he came to San Francisco, the Giants would be paying Stanton an average salary of $29.5 million over the next ten seasons.
That, in addition to the pieces that would be required to give up in order to get Stanton is a steep price to pay. But Stanton is in the prime of his career at 27-years-old, and is among the premier sluggers in the game today. Stanton already has 32 home runs on the season. The Giants haven’t had this type of raw power in their lineup since Barry Bonds – Stanton’s hitting coach in 2016 – was roaming left field. Stanton could provide a boost of power to a Giants team that is currently last in the league in home runs.
Vasgersian added that a move for Stanton wouldn’t happen until the offseason. A big question is if Stanton would be able to stay on the field for the duration of his contract, given his recent track record of injuries over the past few seasons.
“On paper, you should be able to,” Vasgersian said. “He’s young, we know what he’s capable of doing. He hasn’t had back-to-back full seasons of good health.”
To listen to Vasgersian’s full interview, in which he also touches on the trade prospects for Johnny Cueto and Eduardo Nunez, click below. To skip ahead to him talking with Gary and Larry about Stanton, skip ahead to the 3:50 mark.