Can The Marlins Sign Stanton To a Long Term Deal?

 

Will Stanton stay with the Marlins for the long term? Photo Credit: AP

 

The Miami Marlins have made it crystal clear this season that they have no intention of trading their budding superstar in Giancarlo Stanton. In fact, Marlins brass have intentions of trying to convince Stanton of staying in Miami for years to come with a new long term deal. For all the good intentions and effort they are putting into this initiative, just how realistic of a chance  do they have of being able to keep Stanton happy enough to wanting to stay with the fish for many years to come?

 

By: Michael Hanley

 

 

Well if history tells us anything when it comes to the Marlins and their superstar type of players in contract negotiations, this latest turn with Stanton will not turn out well for them. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirms this notion even more with Marlins management themselves not having high hopes for a good result:

 

 

The Marlins are said to be intent on making a "legitimate" attempt this winter to lock up superstar outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, according to sources, but word is some within the organization are still less than optimistic they'll be able to sign Stanton to a long-term deal anytime soon.

You can see why those within the organization would be wary of a long term contract with Stanton being done at any point in the future. Just look at how historically the Marlins have operated as a baseball organization in terms of payroll and prospects.

 

Since the beginning of their existence, outside of the 2012 season, they have always been a low payroll club, usually in the bottom third of the league, which they currently are this season (29th in payroll, around $50 million).

 

When you operate a team with such a low payroll, it makes it very difficult to keep any superstar player beyond their rookie contract. Sure the team can try and expand other contracts to try and make some more room to work with in terms of financial flexibility to try and up the value of a new contract to a big time player but in a league where there are franchises such as the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox who have massive resources in terms of money and prospects,  a small payroll team’s offer can easily we dwarfed by one of the bigger teams. Whether people think that is fair or not, that is the reality in the major leagues these days.

 

In terms of prospects, the Marlins wheel and deal them like almost no other ball club does in the major leagues. Now every major league club would love to be blessed with a bevy of prospects in their farm system to choose from, have them called up to the big club and have an instant impact and keep them for the long term as that prospect turns into a star.For Miami though, they are not of that same dream or philosophy if you will.

 

The Marlins use their prospects to come up, after advancing through their farm system, have an impact at the big league for  a few years, maybe turn into a superstar like Stanton is now, what Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez did in past years, when that player contract is near its end, they deal them to only get the next batch of hot prospects to put in their system. It is a vicious cycle that never ends. It is the reason why you see constant turnover with their roster from season to season and the inability to sustain any long term success for the franchise. Yes they have won two World Series titles remarkably but the season after had a fire sale and dismantled those championship teams and starting from square one which plunged them back to a sub .500 team.

 

It also exposes the fact that all the work the Marlins scouts, coaches  down at each level of the minor league system  developing and teaching these prospects the basics of how to not only play baseball the way they want it played but also how to carry themselves as young professional athletes only gets the big club a few good years in return before they are traded off, not enabling those people to  enjoy the work all they  did with a specific player who grows into a major leaguer and be a good or great one for years to come.

 

Instead they have to go back to the drawing board and get prepared to teach this new batch of prospects and see if they can turn into solid major leaguers. Its a difficult model to generate a lot of success with but one Miami continues to stick by.

Further into Jon Heyman’s report, he cites the changed attitude and feelings Stanton has toward the Marlins but also his desire to win:

According to friends around the team, Stanton is said to be noticeably happier than he was two winters ago when he was upset that the organization abandoned any short-term playoff hopes by trading its high-priced veteran stars, including Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and others. But while his friends say he doesn't even think for a moment about money or an extension, they also point out that his greatest goal is to play for a perennial winner, which doesn't necessarily bode well for the Marlins' chances to keep him and may play into their fears.

It has been known for a while now that Stanton would love to play for an annual contender while he still is at the peak of his career. Many other teams like the Dodgers, Red Sox, Tigers give him that opportunity to slide right into the lineup, not have to carry the team to wins, instead just being one part of a very talented puzzle for that specific team and just concentrate on hitting and playing the field with no additional pressure on himself.

 

For the Marlins, he most likely he would have to stay with the role of doing it all for the team to even stay in contention for a wild card at best each season. It is not as if  Miami is planning on bringing anyone in via a trade or off season signing to help Stanton out with the offense. They may make some minor signings that will have  a minimal impact on the club overall but Stanton would have to face a future of uncertainty with an ever changing surrounding cast around him should he stay in Miami.

 

The improved environment around the organization, especially in the dugout , better play overall by the team and  the fact that Stanton lives and enjoys the city of Miami are great factors going for the Marlins in this initiative but would those factors be enough for Stanton to bypass a chance in free agency after the 2016 season and lock himself into the Marlins organization over what would be his prime years as a player?  Likely not with a potential $200 million , lifetime type of contract waiting for him potentially after that season. Stanton also would be receiving that offer from a team like the Dodgers, which would be  a homecoming for him, which could also play a roll into where he might like to play next.

 

Some might say why would he command such a large contract in terms of years and money, his improvement in all areas of his game speak for themselves. His power numbers are becoming ever more impressive in an era of baseball that has seen power numbers drop dramatically and has turned back into a game more reliant on great pitching and defense.

 

Stanton is batting .289, leading the National League in home runs with 28 and also in RBIs with 77.  His work in the offseason in recent years, Stanton has evolved to more than just a slugger, but now is the complete player that  can hurt an opponent in so many ways. He has improved defensive play with his glove is to the point that he could win a Gold Glove one of these years for his consistency and great range he covers in right field. Also on the base paths, he no longer is just a stationary player. He now can be counted on as a reliable threat to swipe  a bag. This season Stanton has ten stolen bases to his name while not being caught one time, quite the weapon to have for Miami when a scoring opportunity arises.

 

Stanton wants to be known as a player who won big and won often in his career, he is fast approaching a fork in the road that can either help that dream legacy in his mind by going elsewhere or staying in Miami where that dream could potentially never be truly fulfilled.

Follow me on Twitter: @Magic20099