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The Marlins will attempt to trade superstar right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, second baseman Dee Gordon and third baseman Martin Prado in an effort to lower their payroll, sources told Barry Jackson and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Jackson and Spencer’s sources say new owners Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman want the Marlins’ payroll to be around $90 million for 2018. But, Stanton, Gordon and Prado will combine to make around $49 million next year, with Stanton making $25 million, Prado earning $13.5 million and Gordon making $10.5 million, respectively. If the Marlins retain their group from last year, the team’s payroll will be $140 million.
Stanton, who is still set to make an eye-popping $295 million over the next 10 seasons, has drawn early interest from the Giants, but teams such as the Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox and Angels have also been mentioned as potential landing spots. Stanton has a full no-trade clause and would reportedly prefer to play on one of the two coasts. Stanton, 27, hit a league-best 59 home runs while slashing .281/.376/.631 in his first fully-healthy season since 2011.
Gordon could be the easiest of the three to be traded. The 29-year-old Gordon is due $37 million over the next three seasons and has a $14 million team option in 2021.
As for Prado, the Marlins may have a tougher time dealing him. Along with his $13.5 million he is set to earn next season, the 34-year-old is due $15 million in 2019. In addition, he is coming off a 2017 season in which he played only 37 games after having knee surgery in July.