Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton Out for the Season, Fantasy Fallout

By Brad Kelly | Aug 14, 2016

Aug 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) sits in the dugout between innings against the San Francisco Giants at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

A severe groin injury will now sideline Giancarlo Stanton for the rest of the season. Like the Marlins, fantasy owners are left reeling. Who could be potential replacements off the waiver wire?

The Miami Marlins have taken their fair share of injury lumps over the last week or so, but nothing can equate to losing Giancarlo Stanton for the rest of the season. A severe groin injury will cost Stanton this season, serving as an unfortunate reminder that he seemingly can not get over the injury bug.

Thanks to injuries over the last two seasons, Stanton will now only play in 177 out of a possible 324 games. Stanton is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the sport, but his injury history has become a major story line during his career.

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The Marlins have now lost Justin Bour, Adam Conley, Wei-Yin Chen, and now Stanton during their playoff run. Internally, Ichiro Suzuki will now take on a full-time role in right field, and the team will ultimately struggle to find more offense. Ichiro has been his usual solid self, but fantasy owners can look to other, higher upside options off the waiver wire.

Even before the injury to Stanton, there were rumblings that Alex Rodriguez may get a shot with the Marlins. Those whispers have now evolved into Don Mattingly and the organization publicly stating that A-Rod will now be an option.

Stanton had really turned things around at the plate, and it will be impossible to find the same power production off the wire. Those owners that are going to desperately need power, could look to potential replacements, San Diego Padres’ Jabari Blash, and Chicago Cubs’ Jorge Soler. Like Stanton, Blash is a huge dude, and his raw power is impressive. The AVG will be ugly, but he is a starter in San Diego and bats in the middle of the lineup, so the counting stats are there.

Jorge Soler is a fantasy lightning rod, as he has burned more bridges than fantasy owners would like. But, the potential is enormous, and he finally looks healthy right now. He has been on fire as of late, so even though he may not start a day or two during the week, he easily has the highest ceiling of those left on the wire. Another name to monitor is Carlos Gomez, who falls into the same boat as Soler.

While those potential replacements are certainly boom or bust, there are safer options that are available. Those looking to just soften the Stanton loss, should add Ender Inciarte or Denard Span off the wire, as both have been hot lately and provide just enough counting stats to help.

Next: MLB Week 19: Waiver Wire Adds

Baseball is better when Stanton is playing, so it is a shame to see his body betray him yet again. Fantasy owners had to ride out a rough stretch that Stanton went through, but he seemingly had turned things around and looked poised to be a key contributor down the stretch. In terms of his fantasy value heading into next season, the seriousness of his groin injury will something to watch. The outfield waiver wire offers plenty of options, and some of those mentioned above should help.

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