Giancarlo Stanton Trade Rumors: Yankees, Dodgers New Favorites, Giants And Cardinals Out?

Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins — According to the latest trade rumors, Giancarlo Stanton, pictured at Marlins Park on Oct. 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida, would accept a deal to the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs or Houston Astros. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants might no longer be the favorites to trade for Giancarlo Stanton. The Miami Marlins have reportedly agreed to the framework of a deal with both teams, but the National League MVP winner seems to have his eyes on playing elsewhere.

According to Sirius XM’s Craig Mish, Stanton would waive his no-trade clause and approve a trade to either the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs or Houston Astros. The rumors that St. Louis and San Francisco have engaged in serious trade talks with Miami could mean nothing if the slugger decides he doesn’t want to play for either team.

The only two deals that were agreed upon with the Marlins were with St Louis and San Francisco so Stanton took meetings with both of those clubs despite not being on his preferred list. Again, unclear at this time where they stand.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 8, 2017

I do not believe the Cubs & Astros are involved at a high level at this time. That is a belief, I do not have facts to back that up.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) December 8, 2017

If those are indeed the only teams that Stanton wants to play for, it’s clear that he intends to join a winner. The four teams on Stanton's list made up this year’s ALCS and NLCS, and they are all expected to compete for the 2018 World Series.

Before winning their first-ever championship in October, Houston scored the most runs in the regular season. Acquiring Stanton would give the Astros both of the 2017 MVPs since Jose Altuve won the award in the American League.

The Astros won the ALCS in seven games over the Yankees, who were second in MLB in runs scored. Aaron Judge finished second in the MVP voting, and Stanton is the only player that hit more home runs than the Yankees' right fielder. A lineup that includes Judge, Stanton and Gary Sanchez would be the most formidable in all of baseball.

ESPN’s Buster Olney speculated on 101.3 ESPN Radio earlier this week that Stanton would ultimately wind up with the Dodgers. L.A. lost to Houston in the World Series after having the best record in baseball. No team has had more regular-season success in recent years than the Dodgers, who have five straight NL West championships.

Chicago is the only team in baseball that’s reached the championship series in each of the last three years. They were second in the NL in runs scored.

Having just turned 28 years old, Stanton is coming off the best season of his career. He led the majors with 58 home runs and 132 RBI, winning the MVP award despite playing for a team that didn’t threaten to make the playoffs.

Stanton has battled injuries throughout his career, playing 120 games just twice in the last five years. He signed the largest contract in sports history three years ago, and he’ll make at least $25 million in each of the next 10 years. That includes a yearly salary of $32 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The new ownership group of the Marlins, led by Derek Jeter, is looking to shed payroll. The team has already begun the process of trading some of its best players, sending Dee Gordon to the Seattle Mariners Thursday. Any team that acquires Stanton is expected to pay the bulk of his contract.