NEWSLETTER
It wasn’t but a couple days ago that Bob Nightengale reported that the Miami Marlins planned to spend big this offseason – where have we seen that before? – and would specifically be offering MVP candidate Giancarlo Stanton an extension that would amount to the most lucrative contract in team history. Given Stanton’s ability, youth, and approaching free agency (after 2016), that was probably a given.
But, before we’d had much time at all to debate the merits of that kind of extension, and of the possibility of a Stanton trade this offseason if the Marlins couldn’t get him to sign … Stanton was hurt last night. And it was ugly. It was the kind of injury that makes you not even want to think about the contract or trade or even baseball implications for a long time.
If you want, you can watch the play and the aftermath here, though I’m not going to embed it. Suffice it to say, Stanton suffered multiple facial injuries – breaks and lacerations – when he was hit in the left side of his face by a Mike Fiers fastball. It was one of those moments where you feel everything inside if you clench up, and you just hope the young man is (1) able to recover fully for normal living; and (2) assuming 1, able to play baseball again at the same level he played it before.
Stanton was treated at a local hospital last night, and is being sent to Miami for further testing today. He did not lose consciousness, but it was easy to see that there was significant damage. His season is very likely over, and then he’ll hopefully be able to go through a recovery period that gets him back on the field with no limitations or hesitations next year.
Baseball is better with a star like Giancarlo Stanton doing his thing, whatever team he’s doing it for. Well wishes headed his way. For what it’s worth, Jeff Passan is reporting this morning that Stanton is already saying he wants to return this season. I figure that’s unlikely, but it’s gotta be a good sign, right?
