Phillies, Marlins have not had “substantive” talks about Giancarlo Stanton, per report

Jon Morosi of The MLB Network reported late last week that the Phillies were among four teams that were involved in "preliminary communication" for Stanton. However, keeping tabs on the price of Stanton and making a serious push for the 28-year-old are two different things. 

 

For as great of an offensive season that Stanton has had in 2017, it comes after two injury-riddled seasons. Players who have injuries in their 20s, even if some have been more freak injuries, don't tend to get healthier as they age. (Not to mention, power doesn't normally age well.) Advanced metrics also suggest that he's declined as a fielder over the past two seasons, which definitely matters when you are paying someone a five-tool player salary.  

Stanton is still owed $295 million through the 2028 season, when he'll be 38. The Marlins could pay down some of that salary in a trade, but that would mean they would expect a larger return in terms of prospects from the Phillies. He can also opt-out after 2020, which he seems likely to do if he's still playing at a high level. If he does that, the team that acquires him would be forced to give him another contract on the wrong side of 30, or let him walk. If he doesn't opt-out, that likely means he's declined and the team that acquired him will be stuck with a heavily backloaded contract. 

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Stanton also has a full no-trade clause, so he would need to agree to any trade to the Phillies. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports has been among those to cast doubt on whether Stanton would be likely to do that. 

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported this past weekend that the Phillies were more interested in Stanton's teammate, Christian Yelich, this past summer. Others have echoed this, and considering that he'll only be 26 next month and is signed at a team-friendly rate through 2022, that might make sense. Of course, since he's younger and cheaper than Stanton, the Marlins appear less inclined to move him, meaning it may take an even larger package of prospects to acquire his services. 

With Nick Williams, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr, Mickey Moniak and Adam Haseley, among others, giving the Phillies strong organizational outfield depth, it's fair to wonder whether making a franchise-altering trade for an elite outfielder would make the most sense. The Phillies would likely have to part with at least a portion of the elite pitching that they have in the lower-levels of their minor leagues, which may not make sense when they have a ton of organizational outfield depth and a need for front-line pitching at the major league level.

Next offseason, Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon, Andrew McCutchen, Marwin Gonzalez and A.J. Pollock are among the outfielders that can become free-agents after next season. If the Phillies want to add an elite outfielding talent, they may be best suited to wait until next offseason and just sign one, rather than trading for one this offseason.