Giancarlo Stanton is more important to the Miami Marlins than organizations may think. The Texas Rangers could desperately use another power-hitting outfielder and they have a farm system filled with talent to trade, but as Danny Knober of CBS Sports reports, the Marlins have no intentions of moving their building block.
Yes, the Marlins appear to be letting everybody walk. In 2012, they started the season as contenders, but those hopes quickly evaporated. By December of that year, the Marlins looked like a Triple-A team and Stanton was very upset since he was the only true superstar remaining on the team. Currently, the Marlins are still dumping players and will be looking to get rid of some of their guys (Steve Cishek, Placido Polanco, Mike Dunn). The Marlins have already traded Ricky Nolasco to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the one guy not leaving is Stanton.
So why are the Marlins not willing to let go of their biggest commodity even though they are clear sellers?
The Marlins have incredible young pitching that is guiding the team. The Marlins are in last place with the second worst record in baseball at 35-58. Only the Houston Astros are worse with a 33-61 record. However, they have been playing better baseball in their last 30 games, going 17-13. Though it's only four games over .500, they are the third hottest team in the National League. Their young pitching has helped as much as possible. Jose Fernandez, Jacob Turner and Nathan Eovaldi all have ERA's under 3.00 and they are no older than 23 years of age. Sort of rings a bell at Marlins camp as these three pitchers' performance is reminiscent of the potential and hype brought with Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and Nolasco as they made their way to the majors.
Stanton is surrounded by a lot of potential in the Marlins' batting order. Adeiny Hechavarria has impressed, though he's far from being a phenom like Yasiel Puig, Bryce Harper or Mike Trout. Hechavarria is hitting .240/.277/.324 with two home runs and 24 RBI. Marcell Ozuna is also bringing a lot of promise to the Marlins as he looks primed to take over centerfield as Justin Ruggiano might be traded. Logan Morrison is still a big part of the team's offense and little by little, the Marlins look to regain their competitive mojo.
Teams will eventually have to stop wondering about Stanton's trade situation. The Rangers will have to look elsewhere as they are looking to boost their lineup as control of the A.L. West has been a seesaw battle with the Oakland Athletics.
