Hot Stove Thread 2014-15

I wouldn't even 10 years to a 25-year-old player. Six years would be my preferred top limit, though I might be persuaded to seven for Manny Ramirez-level talent.

The Marlins are already praying he opts out at age 30.

 

Given his age, eight might have been more reasonable. I could understand 10, though I wouldn't want to go that long. I just don't understand the need to go that long when he has two years left before free agency unless they are getting some level of discount, which clearly is not the case.

It isn't as if Stanton has been dominant and durable every year. He is one season removed from a 2013 season in which he struggled and played in only 116 games. He wasn't terrible that year, but he certainly wasn't dominant.

 

Why would the Marlins care? They already lied and bribed their way to a new stadium, and they can siphon from the rest of the league in revenue sharing. They don't want or need fans.

 

Point well taken. Do the Marlins get away with it a fourth time?

 

I don't understand any team signing a player to a 10-year deal, but your point is well taken. If they signed him to that deal at $18 million per season, then, yeah, I can see considering it.

I guess they believe he'll just be so good and healthy that he'll opt out and they'll be happy to let someone else sign him at age 30. That's the only way this play makes even a modicum of sense. But that's a damn risky play. There's a very good chance that at age 30, his agent may advise him that no team will give him a deal that surpasses 8 years, $200 million.

 

I don't think anyone involved in the decision to give Stanton a 13-year deal expects to actually be affiliated with the Marlins for the back end of it.

 

If you're implying a massive fan revolt that ends up with David Samson in an unlit dungeon, I like your thinking.

 

Given the history of the franchise and reputation of the owner and team president, I can't imagine his agent negotiating such a deal without an escape hatch.
His marketing power is simply so much better elsewhere.

 

I think that is one reason for the criticism. Stanton gets the 13 years if he wants them, but it looks like he will also be able to leave and seek another huge deal during his prime if that works i his favor. The Marlins would also be paying at least full market value. Why does this make sense for the Marlins?

 

It makes sense for the Marlins because they have developed a good nucleus.
If there's anything they know how to do it's rebuild- quickly and skillfully.
Loria is an art collector. Stanton is baseball art.

 

If they actually try to build around that nucleus, that would make sense. Let's see if they actually do it. As it is, they overpaid for a 13-year commitment to a guy who still has to prove he can be consistent and healthy and they aren't even guaranteed to keep him that whole time.

 

It would be good if we eventually found a subject where you knew what you were talking about.
But we will verily keep trying until we get there!
Stanton's statistics are all trending upward, excepting an injury-wrecked '13.
He hit 37 home runs in 145 games last season before he was hit in the face with a pitch, and still finished first in slugging and total bases.
He finished second in OBA at .395 (McCutchen finished higher at .410).
He tied for second in WAR among position players and second in OPS and OPS+.
He has prodigious power, excellent patience, a high contact rate that mitigates his strikeout rate, good defense and good speed for a man his size.
And he just turned 25 a few days ago.
In other words, Giancarlo Stanton is a superstar.