MLB trade rumors: Giancarlo Stanton attends meetings with Giants, Cardinals

Marlins star slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the most sought-after man on the trade market this offseason, attended the meetings his representatives had with the Giants and Cardinals, sources told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Stanton, the reigning National League MVP who belted a MLB-best 59 home runs last season, and his main agent, Joel Wolfe of the Wasserman Media Group, met with the Giants on Thursday. On Friday, they sat down with the Cardinals. Heyman says San Francisco general manager Bobby Evans and St. Louis GM Michael Girsch were among the high-ranking officials who attended their club’s respective meetings.

Stanton’s attendance in these meetings suggest two things: 1) The 28-year-old outfielder is seriously considering either of these two clubs as a possible team he would waive his full no-trade clause and accept a trade to. 2) He is just listening to their offers out of respect for the clubs and is waiting for other suitors, such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox, to make their pitches to him.

So far, it seems the Giants are ideal for Stanton and the Marlins. The Giants had reportedly offered a trade to the Marlins that they “likely would” accept. They also are fit Stanton’s criteria of playing for a winning team (they are winners of three World Series titles since 2010) and are on a geographic coast (West Coast). The Giants also have the means of taking on his monster $295 million contract over the next 10 years, according to Jorge Ortiz of USA Today. On top of that, Buster Olney of ESPN reported earlier Saturday that the Marlins care more about moving Stanton’s contract and that getting talent in return is their “secondary concern.”

But, the Dodgers are one of the top teams on Stanton’s priority list of clubs he would like to play for. After all, Stanton was born in Panorama City, California and went to high school at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, which is 16 miles away from Dodger Stadium. However, the Dodgers are still fighting the battle that comes with being over the luxury tax threshold. In addition, they are loaded in the outfield and they prefer not to do long-term deals like the one Stanton has.

The Cardinals have been a big contender for Stanton throughout the offseason, but it was reported earlier Saturday that there is growing doubt that Stanton would really accept a deal from St. Louis. Even though the Cardinals have a history of success as well and they have a stable of pitching prospects that they could deal, Stanton may not want to settle with a team from the Midwest knowing teams like the Giants and the Dodgers are still in play.