What once looked like a real possibility for the Giants took a serious hit Thursday night.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Giancarlo Stanton “does not want” a trade to the Giants or Cardinals, and has narrowed the list of teams he’d be willing to play for to the Dodgers and Yankees. As a small silver lining, Rosenthal did say Stanton’s thinking is “fluid,” and that he does not deal in absolutes, implying he could change his mind.
The Marlins’ current ownership had better heed his desire to join the Los Angeles Dodgers or maybe even the New York Yankees, or their efforts to move him will continue to go nowhere.
In recent days, multiple major league sources have told The Athletic that Stanton does not want the San Francisco Giants or St. Louis Cardinals, the two teams that have reached trade agreements with the Marlins, pending the player’s approval.
Stanton’s thinking is fluid, other sources say—he does not deal in absolutes. Perhaps the Giants could sway him if they landed Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Perhaps the Cardinals could build their own convincing case by trading for Rays closer Alex Colome and third baseman Evan Longoria.
Craig Mish of Sirius XM confirmed the report, and also added that the Astros and Cubs are in the mix, though less likely destinations.
Now told Stanton will approve :
Dodgers
Yankees
Cubs
Astros— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 8, 2017
The Giants were reported by some, including Mish, to be the frontrunners for Stanton. The Marlins have already accepted the terms of a deal with San Francisco that reportedly includes multiple prospects, but Stanton has not approved the deal, and with his no-trade clause has total control over his ultimate destination.