The Giants’ odds of acquiring NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton took a serious hit Thursday night after a report surfaced form Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that Stanton did not include San Francisco on the shortlist of teams that he’d accept a trade to. Apparently Stanton could change his mind and the situation is considered “fluid,” but it appears the Giants are already making contingency plans on who to pursue if Stanton does indeed go elsewhere.
The first two names that have been thrown out are Brewers rightfielder Domingo Santana who is currently under contract, and recent Indians rightfielder Jay Bruce who is a free agent, according to Rosenthal.
#Brewers’ Santana is one alternative for #SFGiants if they cannot acquire Stanton. A free agent such as Jay Bruce would be another. Many options in play.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2017
#Brewers getting hits on all OFers and drawing significant interest in Santana, including from #SFGiants, sources tell The Athletic. Braun, who can veto any trade, least likely to go. MIL would need meaningful return for Santana. Three years control; 30 HRs, .875 OPS last season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2017
It appears that Santana, 25, is the top target, but it is unclear exactly how much the Brewers want for a young player coming off the best year of his career. Santana posted a line of .278/.371/.505 in 2017, blasting 30 home runs and stealing 15 bases.
Bruce, 30, is coming off a solid season in his own right with the Mets and Indians, posting a line of .254/.324/.508 while hitting 36 home runs.