MLB trade rumors: What would it take for the Giants to acquire Giancarlo Stanton?

The Marlins “likely would” accept a trade offer from the Giants in which they would receive second baseman Joe Panik, pitching prospect Tyler Beede and outfield prospect Chris Shaw for star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton as long as the Giants pay $250 million of the $295 million on Stanton’s contract, a source told Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Morosi also says that officials involved in the discussions said Stanton has not told the Marlins he would waive his no-trade claise and accept the deal, but they “are optimistic that he ultimately will.”

This news comes a day after a report came out that the Marlins may try to force Stanton to accept a deal. They informed the reigning National League MVP that if he does not waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade, then he will stay with a rebuilding club and Miami will sell off its other high-priced players.

Stanton, 28, hit a league-best 59 home runs while slashing .281/.376/.631 in his first fully-healthy season since 2011. Stanton’s home run total was most in the majors since 2001, when Barry Bonds set the single-season record with 73 with the Giants and Sammy Sosa blasted 61 with the Cubs.

Getting Stanton for Panik, Beede and Shaw would be a steal for the Giants, as they would reload with a lineup that includes Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt. In addition, they will get ace Madison Bumgarner back from injury.

The price may look steep for Stanton, but Jorge Ortiz of USA Today says the Giants have the means to afford him. Ortiz says they are free from their $18-20 million annual service debt on their ballpark, they own 30 percent of NBC Sports Bay Area, and they “are expected to generate substantial revenue from a real estate venture just south of the ballpark that is scheduled to begin construction in 2018.”