Yankees Rumors: Willing to listen on Giancarlo Stanton proposal

While there is a 99.9% chance that the Yankees won’t trade for Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the Bombers are at least willing to find out what a possible trade would look like.

Imagine for a moment, if you will, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton batting third and fourth in the Yankees lineup.

Two behemoths, capable of hitting 111 home runs combined in a season — on the cusp of both being named MVPs of their respective leagues coming together to form one of the most dynamic duos baseball has ever seen!

As salivating as the possibility is, you, me and almost every well-informed baseball mind would be shocked if the Marlins and Yankees came together on a blockbuster agreement that would reshape the powers that be in the American League.

Yet according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, general managers Brian Cashman and Michael Hill of the Marlins had a brief conversation during the general managers’ meetings in my hometown of Orlando, FL about the Bombers having any potential interest in Drop the Mike Stanton.

"There’s been nothing substantive said between the Yankees and Marlins regarding Stanton beyond the Marlins’ inquiry as to whether the Yankees had any interest, and the Yankees’ response that they’d be interested in hearing what Miami had in mind, which may just be due diligence."

Obviously, anytime the Red Sox show interest in a player of Stanton’s ilk, the Yanks are basically forced to bat an eye — if for nothing else than to drive up the asking price of said player in a trade. It’s subterfuge at its finest.

After averaging just 115 games from 2012-2016, Stanton finally stayed healthy to play in 159 contests in 2017 and reach the heights of stardom many have always expected. This included leading the world in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• 4 former Yankees players New York can still reunite with in free agency
• Yankees top prospects butt heads after Giants’ gritty win over Commanders
• CC Sabathia defends Yankees’ massive Aaron Judge contract
• Scott Boras closed Yankees-Carlos Rodón deal from Fenway Park, put cherry on top
• Orioles are bailing out Yankees and AL East by botching free agency

The issue is, with 10 years and $295 million remaining on his contract, only a few teams can feasibly afford the overinflated deal. If Stanton were to consistently replicate the kind of production we just witnessed, then sure, he’s worth every penny.

But come on. Let’s be realistic.

With full veto power and an opt-out looming in 2020, Stanton can choose his next employer. While the Red Sox, Giants, Cardinals, Phillies and Dodgers have all been linked, the Yankees won’t deal from their young nucleus.

That includes a collection of players that haven’t even reached the big leagues yet like Gleyber Torres, Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams and Estevan Florial.

Would the Yanks be willing to dangle Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar and Domingo Acevedo? Maybe, but reports have already stated that the Marlins aren’t being reasonable in their asking price for Stanton.

The fact that the Hal Steinbrenner is dead set on getting under the $197 million luxury tax threshold as to reset his spending limit in 2019 when Manny Machado and Bryce Harper become free agents doesn’t help our prospects either.

Next: Chad Green needs to stay in the bullpen

All-in-all, the Yankees already led the majors in long balls with 241 this past season and were second in runs scored with 858. Although it’s fun to dream, Stanton just isn’t a priority.