Well, it isn’t just the San Francisco Giants for Giancarlo Stanton.
Sources: #STLCards officials have a meeting with Giancarlo Stanton today in Los Angeles. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 1, 2017
To clarify, I am told the #STLCards meeting is with Giancarlo Stanton's representatives — not necessarily Stanton himself. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 1, 2017
#STLCards meeting with Giancarlo Stanton's reps does not necessarily mean trade agreement is in place with #Marlins, but talks have reached serious stage — as is also the case with #SFGiants. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 1, 2017
To be sure, this could be total gamesmanship by the Marlins and Stanton to get the Giants to put a better deal on the table, knowing full well that it’s the only place Stanton is willing to go outside of Los Angeles.
On the other hand, it could be that the Cardinals, like the Giants, have a completely acceptable offer on the table to the Marlins, and requested an opportunity to try to sell Stanton on the idea of accepting a trade to, and playing the next ten years in, St. Louis. Since the Cardinals would have to get permission from the Marlins for this kind of meeting, I’d say it’s pretty likely that, yes, they have made an acceptable offer to this point.
Because of the way this is playing out, I’m thinking we’re not going to get our (totally immature) dream scenario: the Marlins and Cardinals agreeing on a trade, only to have Stanton say, “No.” Instead, because there’s this sort of pre-interview-pitching process going on, I’m thinking no trade will ever be “agreed to” with a team that Stanton doesn’t already approve.
So, then, if you’re hoping not to see Stanton mashing against the Cubs in the NL Central for a good long while, let’s hope he’s not impressed by their pitch. The thinking is already that he strongly prefers the West Coast, so the Cardinals may have an uphill climb in any case.