CBS Sports reporter Jon Heyman broke the news that the Marlins and OF Giancarlo Stanton have come to terms on a deal that is for the highest value in North American sports history. Reportedly, the deal is for 13 years, and a record-setting $325 million. However, there is an opt out clause Stanton can exercise five years into the contract, at which point he would be thirty. If he continues to perform at the level he has to this point in his career, Stanton would then have the ability to opt out of his deal at age 30, and find another deal in the 10 year, $275-300 million range.
There are a few interesting wrinkles to this deal being completed. First, the Marlins gave Stanton a full no-trade clause in the deal, which dismisses any notion that they would repeat their fire sales of the past. That signals that the Marlins are truly looking to be contenders in the next five years, before Stanton can exercise his opt out, and possibly leave the team. Currently, the Marlins are close to contending for the NL East crown, with the Washington Nationals on the verge of losing some players to free agency and the Atlanta Braves in the midst of a transition period. You can count the Philadelphia Phillies out, as they’ve said they won’t compete until 2017. However, the New York Mets also see this as their window of opportunity, signaled by their signing of OF Michael Cuddyer early in free agency. The Mets and Marlins could become the big rivalry in the NL East for the next few seasons.
This deal could also be a precursor to other moves. If the Marlins locked up Stanton, what’s to say they won’t do the same once P Jose Fernandez returns from Tommy John Surgery and proves his health? Fernandez is their best pitcher, and one of the best in Major League Baseball. Keeping Fernandez around for the same period that you have Stanton would be the best option for the Marlins to compete. Outside of the Marlins organization, this will affect other team’s moves as well.
There were some that thought Stanton could be had by trade, for 3-4 top, can’t-miss prospects, which is a heavy price for any team to pay. Now that Stanton is off the market, these teams can move on from trying to acquire him, and focus on other hitters on the trade market, like Rockies’ players SS Troy Tulowitzki and OF Carlos Gonzalez. It may also help accelerate OF Nelson Cruz finding a home via free agency, as he is currently the best outfield/DH bat on the market.
It was obvious that this record setting deal would make waves, but it has impacted all of Major League Baseball. It will be interesting to see if Stanton can handle the pressure that comes with this contract, and if he can help lead the Marlins to a World Series title.
