The Miami Marlins have cried poor for years. First there was the fire sale of 1998. Then there was the fire sale of 2004. Then, there was the fire sale of 2011. Yet, the Marlins have given star outfielder Giancarlo Station the largest total dollar contract in Major League history to be a Phillies foe for many years to come.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the deal is longer and worth more than any deal in history:
Giancarlo Stanton and the Marlins are closing in on a landmark deal, believed to be for $325 million over 13 years, sources connected to the team told CBSSports.com.
Stanton's record deal will have a no-trade clause and is expected to include an opt-out clause as well, allowing him to exercise a right to leave after a number of years.
Only language remains to be finalized, sources said.
Heyman said that the Marlins are also trying to sign Jose Fernandez and other young stars to extensions, but he is skeptical of seeing Fernandez sign.
Phillies fans can perhaps finally give up their dreams of having Stanton on the Phillies. The Phillies, at times, have been said to be pursuing the Marlins slugger. If Stanton was offered for trade, surely 29 other teams would be in pursuit.
The 10-year contracts in baseball have been nothing positive to this point. We see all too well how Alex Rodriguez became irrelevant just five years into his second 10-year deal after opting out of the first. Albert Pujols remains a productive major league player, but has not produced like the top-dollar player he is.
Stanton ended the year on the disabled list after taking a pitch to his face. Granted, this was a freak accident and does not reflect Stanton being injury-prone. However, one injury could cripple the Marlins for many years to come. Should Stanton ever suffer a career-ending injury, the Marlins are going to be on the hook for every last dollar.
In five major league seasons, Stanton has a .271 batting average with 154 home runs and 399 RBI alongside his .903 OPS. Stanton was a "finalist" in this year's National MVP award voting, but he placed second to the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw. Stanton has been a National League All-Star twice.
