MLB Trade Rumors: Are Pirates still chasing Giancarlo Stanton?
By Matt Shetler
With the Major League Baseball trade deadline a mere four days away, it’s likely that Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington won’t commit to making any moves to improve his clubs roster until late on Wednesday.
That could be because he is still holding out hope to make a big splash.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Pirates regularly check in with the Miami Marlins in regard to Giancarlo Stanton but are turned away each time. The decision comes straight from ownership, as Jeffrey Loria does not want to see Stanton traded.
Hear #Rangers #Pirates particularly call #Marlins often on Stanton, told no Word is ownership decision, Loria doesn't want to move Stanton
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 26, 2013
Jul 21, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Pirates have been linked to Stanton for quite some time now even though the Marlins have made it known that he isn’t available at any cost.
The thing about trade deadlines is that teams tend to change their mind at the last minute, so it makes sense for Huntington to continue to check in on a chance to acquire Stanton.
Any potential deal to acquire Stanton would come at a very high price as the Bucs would likely have to part with three or four of their top 10 prospects. That alone makes you have to weigh which is more important, short-term or long-term success?
Being that they would have control of Stanton for three more years could lighten that load a little, but Stanton would still command a high dollar figure through arbitration, so that would be an issue right there.
However the positives could outweigh the negatives in this situation as Stanton could be the cure for the Pirates struggling offense for years to come. You would be hard pressed to find a better 3-4-5 combination in the middle of any batting order than the potential of Andrew McCutchen, Stanton and Pedro Alvarez.
Stanton would also majorly upgrade the weakest spot in the Pirates’ batting order- right field.
The Bucs right fielders have combined for the worst OPS in the National league and Stanton is a guy who has posted an .893 OPS through four MLB seasons. That number is down to .831 this season from .969 a season ago but injuries and hitting in a very weak Marlins’ lineup has a lot to do with that.
You would see that number increase dramatically hitting in a much better Pirates lineup, where teams can’t pitch around him as often.
Stanton has already hit 105 homers, including a big one against the Pirates Friday night, in only 432 MLB games.
You only get so many opportunities to try and add a legitimate young stud to your lineup and if there is any chance of a deal, I’m sure Huntington will continue to pursue one.
The Pirates have the high end prospects that it would take to make a deal happen for a young stud such as Stanton.
It doesn’t look like there is any chance of it happening at the moment, but Huntington has a little less than four days to try and change Loria’s mind.