The Miami Marlins have been receiving several calls lately asking if Giancarlo Stanton was open to trade.
The Marlins started strong in the 2014 MLB season but is currently going through a plateau, which made other teams think that they might have a chance to land the All-Star right fielder.
In a report by Sporting News, Dan Jennings, general manager of the Marlins was quick to diffuse the rumors by saying that Stanton's not available. He said, "I think teams thought that by losing a few games we were out of it and we were selling off. So sure, I started to get calls and teams presenting scenarios about what it would take, and I said the same thing I've been saying, 'We're not trading him.'"
Stanton is 24 years old and has a current batting average of .295/.393/.540. He has 21 home runs and 63 RBI's in 93 appearances in the 2014 season. The slugger, however, was not at his best at the start of July, with zero homers, three RBI's in three appearances and averaging .167/.280/.167.
Jennings, however, remained unfazed by the recent slump, saying that they still have a stand and are going to improve significantly. He said in an article by On Base Talk, "I think some things have changed for Giancarlo. He's taken a leadership role here. He knows we're serious about winning and how much we want him to be part of that. He's seen the team come together and the young talent developing around him."
Jennings did not mention the MLB teams who called but experts believe that the usual suitors included the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Angels, the Phillies, Dodgers, Orioles, Rangers, Tigers, Mariners and even the Blue Jays.
These teams will have to wait after the 2016 season when Stanton enters the free agent market at least. The Marlins still wish to have him sign a long-term deal with them. Stanton, however, was disappointed at how the Marlins tend to trade their assets. Should Stanton decide to leave the Marlins, other teams will have to sacrifice a strong young player in his stead, writes a Boston Globe report.