The Marlins and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton avoided arbitration last week by agreeing to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. The two sides haven’t discussed the possibility of a contract extension yet, but the team remains interested in getting a long-term deal done:
Jennings @marlins told us they have communicated with Giancarlo Stanton their desire to sign him to a longterm deal the soonerthebetter XM89
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 23, 2014
While that’s all well and good, it takes two to tango. And Stanton, understandably, might want another dance partner. As you’ll recall, the young slugger was quite vocal in his displeasure about the direction of the franchise last offseason, fueling speculation that he’ll leave the first chance he gets. While the Marlins have some promising young players, they haven’t given any indication that they are going to put money into the team. Of course, time could heal those old wounds, especially if the price is right, but those trade rumors will only get louder if the interest is not mutual.
Stanton, 24, was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. He remains under team control through 2016.
