By Theo DeRosa, Sports Talk Philly staff
According to multiple outlets, the current discord of the Miami Marlins organization has pushed any major deals to the background. The Marlins are embroiled in many rumors about changes in ownership, and the current front office wants to keep the club's stars in place for the time being.
National media reports have linked the Phillies to outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich as well as second baseman Dee Gordon, but it seems that the first two players wouldn't be heading to Philadelphia anytime soon.
As reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Stanton, Yelich and Marcell Ozuna are currently off the trading block.
The #Marlins are not listening to any trade proposals for their starting outfield now, saving those conversations for this winter.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 18, 2017
Stanton, 27, has been eyed by the Phillies' front office for years. He's a right-handed power bat, leading the National League with 29 home runs so far in 2017 — with the last three coming over the past two days against Phillies pitching. Stanton's large contract, which contains an opt-out after the 2020 season, could bring him over at a cheaper price.
Yelich, 25, is on a much more team-friendly deal. Between 2015 and 2021, Yelich's contract pays just shy of $50 million, an absolute bargain for a young hitter with a career .291/.367/.426 triple-slash line. According to several sources, the Phillies have pursued a package deal for both Stanton and Yelich, mitigating the potential cost in prospects by taking on Stanton's full contract.
But it seems that neither player is bound for Philadelphia anytime soon. The Phillies aren't contending now, and to spend big this early on the two players might mean sacrificing even more time in a rebuilding effort that has already dragged on for several years.
Undoubtedly, though, trade talks will re-surface between the two teams when the hot stove heats up again this winter. They might still be rampant through the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but it seems the Marlins aren't ready to deal away their core players just yet.
