MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Giancarlo Stanton

The always unpredictable Miami Marlins could elect to shop franchise slugger Giancarlo Stanton at the trade deadline.

The sale of the Miami Marlins to the Derek Jeter ownership group has not proceeded as planned, and the franchise is still in limbo. All-Star right fielder Giancarlo Stanton’s future is not necessarily as nebulous. He is signed to a $325-million deal that could run past the 2028 season if all of his options are exercised. Stanton is beloved in Miami for his mammoth home runs, but potential buyers may not feel as enthusiastic about taking on a contract that could guarantee Stanton over $30 million a season at the age of 35.

The real point here, is never say never when it comes to anything with current Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. He is baseball’s most unpredictable owner and the most likely candidate to decide to blow up his roster on a whim. The Marlins are underperforming for what seems like the 10th year in a row and have a weak farm system. It would not come as a complete shock to see Loria get through his art-deco, taxpayer-funded stadiums All-Star Game and then begin a rebuild.

For Stanton’s part, the four-time All-Star is bouncing back from a disappointing 2016 season and is hitting .271/.353/.545 on the year with 16 doubles and 23 home runs. He has curtailed his strikeouts to a much more respectable rate, and is making some of the hardest contact in the league on a consistent basis.

So, while there are no definite trade rumors linking Stanton to any teams, there is no reason to think the Marlins would not pull the trigger on a deal for the right return. Here are five teams that could be of interest to the team and Stanton, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract.

5. Detroit Tigers

This is a longshot, but so is the Marlins actually trading their franchise player this season. The Tigers have professed their desire to get younger and strip down the roster in an effort to begin a much-needed rebuild. Detroit has several key pieces that can be moved at the 2017 deadline, including J.D. Martinez, Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, Alex Avila, and Justin Wilson (so many available Justins!).

If all of the players mentioned above are moved, the Tigers could be looking at a haul of well over a dozen solid prospects. What’s to stop them from going right back out on the market and attempting to flip a few of them for Stanton? The Marlins and Tigers have a history of big deals, namely the Miguel Cabrera trade.

Speaking of Cabrera, he is under contract through the 2023 season at $30 million a pop. The Tigers have considered a rebuild in the past, but they can’t afford to stay down for long with Cabrera about to age out of his prime.