Indiana Jones and the Acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton

[gammoseditor]

 
First of all, we have no idea if Oakland will trade Shark next year or not.  Second, we have no idea if Miami will be leading their division with a legit chance to win a WS in Stanton's walk year.  The odds are probably pretty slim however, since they aren't a team that regularly adds through FA and there are at least two very good teams in their division.  No one is accusing Miami of anything yet.  The main point is that, assuming they're not a serious contender to win a title and they don't extend Stanton, holding onto him is stupid.  What exactly is your issue with this?  It's no different than Boston trading Lester, Lackey and Miller this year. 

 
I have no issue with the bolded.  I think it's becoming clear the Marlins don't agree with the bolded and are going to hold onto him for next year.  Of course trading him at the deadline in 2016 if they are in last place is a no brainer if they can't extend him.  I think the Marlins plan is to compete in 2015, try to extend him, and reassess the situation periodically.  I don't think they have any intention of trading him any time soon.  I was also called wrong for arguing months ago he wouldn't be traded this year.

 

[foulkehampshire]

 
I think the Marlins plan is to compete in 2015, try to extend him, and reassess the situation periodically.

 
You're kidding, right? This must be some kind of joke that's going over my head.
 
Jeff Loria.
Jeff Loria
Jeff Loria
Jeff Loria

 

[Laser Show]

 
You're kidding, right? This must be some kind of joke that's going over my head.

See I don't doubt that's the plan. But this:
 

Jeff Loria.
Jeff Loria
Jeff Loria
Jeff Loria

means that the plan will inevitably changed to "fuck it let's trade him"

 

[MakMan44]

One thing that hasn't been really discussed is that Stanton, at least to stay in Miami, is almost certain to want a no trade clause. Right? I think that's going to be sticking point between the two sides, rather than the amount of money or years he'd get from them. 

 

[BeantownIdaho]

  We may find out this weekend if in fact the Sox make a run at Stanton. If the Sox end up with Rusney Castillo then I have my doubts whether they go after Stanton in a trade. It seems their outfield may be set for next year and perhaps longer if they extend Cespedes. The talent it would have taken to get Stanton can be used in other areas of need - or perhaps several areas of need.

 

[NDame616]

  We may find out this weekend if in fact the Sox make a run at Stanton. If the Sox end up with Rusney Castillo then I have my doubts whether they go after Stanton in a trade. It seems their outfield may be set for next year and perhaps longer if they extend Cespedes. The talent it would have taken to get Stanton can be used in other areas of need - or perhaps several areas of need.

 
You think the corpse of Shane VIctorino, Allen Craig coming off a year where he'll bat .220 and a CF, while defensively one of the best in the game, bats .200 will prevent them from getting one of the best players in baseball?

 

[OptimusPapi]

See I don't doubt that's the plan. But this:
 
means that the plan will inevitably changed to "fuck it let's trade him"

And you may be right. But I think the evidence points elsewhere.
1. Jose Fernandez was worth roughly 4 wins last year. An additional four wins this year would leave the Marlins 3 games back from the division lead and right in it for the wildcard. Its not crazy to think Loria realizes that and realizes that with a healthy Hernandez and Stanton next year the Marlins have a legitimate shot. Then again maybe he cares more about a low payroll then a potential world series. Don't think its likely but hey we have to support the Stanton fantasy.
2. I think I have stated this before. If Cherington thought there was a snow balls chance in hell that Stanton would be available this off season he would have done the Lackey and Lester deals differently. He would realize that getting Stanton would require some combination of Bogearts Betts and Swihart or Betts Swihart and Owens and he would have stocked up on prospects in order to mitigate the blow to the farm system. Instead he chose to go the Allen Craig/Cespedes route. He knew at least for 2015 Stanton is not coming here and that finding power and improving the outfield was going to have to come from some other place.
3. Lets assume the crazies are correct and Loria is just blowing smoke and Stanton will be traded in the offseason. Just because the Sox have a deep system and the ability to pay him does not mean he is going to the Sox. Exhibit A is Oakland. There is no way Shark or Lester is going to resign in Oakland, but in order to try to win now Beane was willing to mortgage the future to an extent. I am willing to bet that other small market teams will begin to take the same tack. So Maybe the Yankees don't have the talent to get it done but the Twins certainly do, the Rays might and the Astro definitely do. All of whom could offer very attractive packages to Miami. Then there is the Cubs who people seem to forget are not weaklings when it comes to the payroll. If Theo decides rebuilding is done then the Cubs certainly have the prospects to acquire Stanton and the money to lock him up.
4. Why do we assume if we traded for Stanton that he would not want to reach free agency. He has already made enough money to live very comfortably. Stanton might be curios to see what his final paycheck will look like if the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees all get involved in the bidding.

Look I would love to have Stanton but it appears to me the writing is on the wall.

 

[MakMan44]

What writing? First off, Stanton has to WANT to stay in Miami. Is there a chance that he does? Of course. 
 
Secondly, Ben wouldn't make the deal, especially in the offseason, without an extension (or AGone type situation) in place. 
 
Finally, until Stanton actually signs the extension (and again, I think he's only going to do it with a full no trade clause) anything can happen to change what we know right now. 

 

[OptimusPapi]

What writing? First off, Stanton has to WANT to stay in Miami. Is there a chance that he does? Of course. 
 
Secondly, Ben wouldn't make the deal, especially in the offseason, without an extension (or AGone type situation) in place. 
 
Finally, until Stanton actually signs the extension (and again, I think he's only going to do it with a full no trade clause) anything can happen to change what we know right now. 

The writing that says Stanton not being traded

 

[MakMan44]

The writing that says Stanton not being traded

Ah. Well, that I can buy, but like I said that change between now and the beginning of next season. 

 

[BeantownIdaho]

 
You think the corpse of Shane VIctorino, Allen Craig coming off a year where he'll bat .220 and a CF, while defensively one of the best in the game, bats .200 will prevent them from getting one of the best players in baseball?

Yeah, that's exactly what I said...in fact I used those three examples in my post.

 

[maxotaur]

All that writing over something that has every appearance of having almost no chance of occurring anytime soon.

Also what's with the compulsion to make degrading statements to everyone you disagree with?

 

[OptimusPapi]

Oops screwed up formatting

 

[MakMan44]

Is there any indication the sox would be willing to give Stanton a 10 year, $300M deal? Folks seem to assume they would, but I thought that kind of went against the whole deep depth team building philosophy they've been pontificating about for the past few years? I understand Stanton is young but any deal he'll sign is going to take them into those years they don't want to invest in. What am I missing here?

You might be right, I honestly have no clue if the Red Sox are actually willing to break the bank for Stanton. 
 
That being said, I think most people are of the opinion that Stanton is the very type of player that you absolutely should go all in for. Also, assuming a 10 year deal, starting next season, it would take him to age 35. Granted, there's a fair amount of risk involved in deals that long, but I think it's mitigated mostly because you're not paying for the same back ends as deals like Pujols or Miggy.
 
I would absolutely rather have the latter half a deal be a guys 30-35 years, compared to 35-40. Basically, if you're not willing to give a mega deal to a player like Stanton, my assumption was that people have literally no clue who'd you ever give one to. 

 

[OptimusPapi]

 
You're misunderstanding him. He's not talking about him not having been traded at the deadline, he's implying that the flimsy case he made is writing on the wall that Stanton will not be traded. 
 
 
That's what he has cared about most his entire tenure as an MLB owner. I don't know why that would surprise you or why you find it unlikely. Absent the year that he spent money on FAs after hoodwinking the city of Miami into building him a new ballpark (to the tune of $2.6B to the city), he has never spent real money on a free agent and never resigned one of his own upper echelon players. Oh and in case you missed it, he immediately traded all those FAs he signed at the end of the season. 
 
 
 
There are many possible reasons why BC chose the deals he did and most of them have nothing to do with Stanton. First, as you say, Stanton will cost at least a couple top 5 prospects (not the packages you suggest but still). BC was not getting prospects back for either Lester or Lackey that would fill the slots of X, Swihart, Betts or Owens. So "stocking up on prospects" would have been adding more mid level talent, which the Sox have plenty of. I assure you that if the Cardinals offered Tavares for either guy, Ben would have taken that deal. He took the best deals on the table that served the overall future of the Sox the best.
 
Further, he saw that the offense needs more than Stanton. If they had traded both of those guys and taken every prospect they got and acquired Stanton with them, he still had work to do. Stanton alone wasn't returning this team to the top offense in baseball. Nor did the acquisitions preclude Stanton being on the team in 2015. Craig in LF, Cespedes in CF, Stanton in RF for a year until Nap is off the books, with Vic as your 4th OF, giving Betts another year to mature in CF in the minors and JBJ can now be included in the package. As an example. 
 
 
 
No, Exhibit A is not the A's. They went all in on a season in which they have the best record in baseball, the best offense and a top 5 pitching staff. Shark has another year of control, so if the A's don't cash in, they can shop him in the offseason or keep him and shop him at the deadline next year to recoup a significant portion of what he gave up. 
 
No one forgets the Cubs have payroll ability. That's not the point. The point is they have a shit ton of great offensive prospects and no pitching. If they trade from their wealth it will be for a pitcher. The Rays don't have close to the farm system to acquire him (ignoring the lack of common sense to suggest them in the first place) and the Twins and Astros are both well more than two years away from contending. \
 
And not everyone is saying he will definitely go to the Sox. The reasonable people here are saying that all logic points to him being traded sometime in the near future and the Sox offer the best combination of want, need, currency to acquire and ability to resign. 
 
 
If you assume he wants to go to free agency, then you undercut your own position that Miami would keep him. They are not going to let an asset leave for nothing more than a comp pick. They have never done this in their history. As MakMan said, no one is trading for him without a window to discuss an extension. 
 
 
It is on the wall, you just don't seem to be able to read it very well. 

First off is it possible that Loria realize he was not going to win with the bunch of veterans he had signed and acted on that information? We praised the Sox FO when they did something similar in 2012. I dont disagree that Loria is a cheap skate. I also think the Marlins fans (if there are any) deserve a lot better, but I do think its possible that the Marlins are insanely close to being a playoff team and that for the next year at least it is going to influence Loria's actions. I also dont think Stanton is going to sign a contract extension with the Marlins.

Sadly the package I suggested is what it is going to take to get Stanton. If the Sox are not willing to give up their top three prospects for Stanton other teams will be willing to. It is also not a matter of filling the slots of X, Swihart or Owens. If you notice I use the word mitigate. Doing a quick google search the defination I get back for mitigate is make less severe not take away the pain completely. I feel that if BC was serious about taking a run at Stanton this offseason he would have stockpiled a bunch of A- B plus prospects in the various trades he made. Though I will admit we know nothing about the other offers on the table or BC thought process really.

First off thinking you are going to tell Vic he is a fourth outfielder is laughable. If Vic had been ineffective or injured for two or three years running then yeah you have that conversation with him. But to think that Vic will be ok being relegated to the bench because he had the misfortune of getting injured is laughable. This isnt a video game BC and co are dealing with humans. But more importantly at no time did I suggest that Stanton would be the only move BC would make. In fact I dont know how that point is relevant unless you like putting words in my mouth.

Can you name another instance in which the As give up their top prospect essentially mortgage part of their future in order to acquire veterans they will not be able to control for the long term? I think Beane is trading new waters here. But the overall point I am making is the playing field for Stantons services might be more wide open then we previously though if other teams are willing to view Stanton as a two year rental. I threw out the teams that I did to illustrate that point. Next time I will simplify things for you.

They have the want and the ability to resign but I am not sure you are correct about the others.

Why not? Having a few playoff appearances a comp pick for Stanton and a haul if they trade Fernandez seems like a fair shake.

I read it very well you I am not sure about.

Sorry again for not doing that correctly. Still trying to figure out how this thing works.

 

[nvalvo]

2. I think I have stated this before. If Cherington thought there was a snow balls chance in hell that Stanton would be available this off season he would have done the Lackey and Lester deals differently. He would realize that getting Stanton would require some combination of Bogearts Betts and Swihart or Betts Swihart and Owens and he would have stocked up on prospects in order to mitigate the blow to the farm system. Instead he chose to go the Allen Craig/Cespedes route. He knew at least for 2015 Stanton is not coming here and that finding power and improving the outfield was going to have to come from some other place.

 
I don't agree with the other parts for reasons similar to what others have posted, but this is a good point. Because (as everyone points out) Boston and Miami match up well for a Stanton trade, Cherington probably has a pretty good idea what Miami wants. 
 
That he didn't load up on top-50 prospects tells me that Stanton is likely not available, or else not available at a price that Ben finds attractive. 

 

[derekson]

I think that Loria's past behavior and Cherington's behavior at the deadline both point to Stanton going nowhere this offseason and the Marlins attempting to compete next season. Depending on whether they are actually competitive or not, Stanton will be traded at next year's trade deadline or next offseason. This is part of why Cherington traded for a 2015 stopgap in Cespedes, I believe. Meanwhile, the Marlins will get nearly the same return on Stanton with 1 year remaining as with 2, especially if they can include a negotiation window for an extension. Alternatively they might be able to squeeze a higher price out at the 2015 Trade Deadline if a team in contention is desperate for a big bat and the Marlins are not in contention.
 
The bottom line is that the Marlins aren't going to extend Stanton or let him walk in free agency. But a trade next winter is far more likely than one this winter unless some team completely blows away the Marlins with an overpay.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

The way I see it is this... There are three arguments to be made here.
 
1. Loria is a cheap skate and his history proves he will sell Stanton off rather than try to compete.
2. Loria is a cheap skate but will only sell this winter if absolutely blown away because he has another year of control over Stanton and get Fernandez back in his rotation as well as another promising prospect or two to be promoted.
3. If any player was ever going to convince Loria to spend, it's Stanton and until there is an indication publicly that the Marlins are shopping not-Mike, we are wasting bandwidth arguing about how the Sox could pry him away.
 
All three arguments have been made repeatedly. Nothing new has been posted in this thread in weeks, maybe months (or years). The best we get is, occasionally, a new sports writer will muse about the possibility and another round of "Ben can trade for him this winter!" "No he can't!" springs up. Can we just let this thread die, please? We all want Stanton but there is zero evidence he's going to be traded before the winter, and there isn't really that much evidence that he'll be traded then, either. We're just spinning our wheels here.

 

[Buzzkill Pauley]

 
I don't agree with the other parts for reasons similar to what others have posted, but this is a good point. Because (as everyone points out) Boston and Miami match up well for a Stanton trade, Cherington probably has a pretty good idea what Miami wants. 
 
That he didn't load up on top-50 prospects tells me that Stanton is likely not available, or else not available at a price that Ben finds attractive. 

 
I disagree -- the Sox did overload on upper-minors LHSP at the deadline. 
 
There are now 4 "top" LHSP prospects < 24 yrs old, to go along with 4 "top" RHSP...and all eight have < 1 year ast, as well as options remaining.  Combined, that suggests to me that Miami has definitively identified two key components of a hypothetical trade from which they are not going to budge.
 
It doesn't mean Miami is or isn't going to trade Stanton, this offseason if ever.  But I think it's clear that Miami is going to want 2 MLB-ready pitchers whom they'll control for 6 years apiece.

 

[nvalvo]

 
The Rays couldn't get a single top 50 prospect for David Price with another year of control. What would suggest the Sox could "load up" on them for Lester or Lackey? 

 
Maybe that was the problem, then. That said, Edwin Escobar was in the mid-50s, and we got him for Peavy. Eduardo Rodriguez was sitting in the mid-60s preseason, and we got him for Miller. Lester and Lackey couldn't have returned better prospects?
 
 

 
I disagree -- the Sox did overload on upper-minors LHSP at the deadline. 
 
There are now 4 "top" LHSP prospects < 24 yrs old, to go along with 4 "top" RHSP...and all eight have < 1 year ast, as well as options remaining.  Combined, that suggests to me that Miami has definitively identified two key components of a hypothetical trade from which they are not going to budge.
 
It doesn't mean Miami is or isn't going to trade Stanton, this offseason if ever.  But I think it's clear that Miami is going to want 2 MLB-ready pitchers whom they'll control for 6 years apiece.

 
This is Interesting. 

 

[timlinin8th]

Meanwhile, the Marlins will get nearly the same return on Stanton with 1 year remaining as with 2, especially if they can include a negotiation window for an extension.

Please explain how you figure the bolded? Because it doesn't seem like a very logical assertion to me. 

I don't believe that it is the case either. The problem I see is that the return the Marlins would expect in exchange for 2 years of Stanton would be so great that no team will pay it. Teams will offer marginally more than the one year and the Marlins will say no. Which is essentially has already happened, its been reported teams have put feelers out on Stanton before and the Marlins haven't bit on any of them.

 

[Dogman]

See I don't doubt that's the plan. But this:
 
means that the plan will inevitably changed to "fuck it let's trade him"

 
 
Or that was always the plan but Loria is aware of the optics of publicly looking to trade him now and further alienating his remaining base.  Tell the fans what they want to hear or, at least, don't tell them what they don't want to hear and keep on as if Loria will try and extend him. 
 
At trade time, Loria can point to a declined lowball Marlins offer as evidence that he tried. Pure Loria.

 

[seantoo]

Is there any indication the sox would be willing to give Stanton a 10 year, $300M deal? Folks seem to assume they would, but I thought that kind of went against the whole deep depth team building philosophy they've been pontificating about for the past few years? I understand Stanton is young but any deal he'll sign is going to take them into those years they don't want to invest in. What am I missing here?

Rudy I see eye to eye with you alot and do on one point here. I'm not sure, as you are that the Sox are willing to set or approach the high end of the market for what Stanton can get in a deal. But how many years do you think his agent is after?. They should want one final chance between the ages of 30-32 to get another deal. So for example say the Marlines traded him this off-season (I think they are more likely to wait until next season's deadline but who knows?) and the Sox extend his deal. He'll be 25 in Nov. so even a 7 year deal would take him to age 31. They have no problem investing in players to age 30 and beyond in the right situation. Giancarlo is the right situation the perfect one actually. Whether it ever actually ever happens I have no idea, but the stars and pieces are aligned for it to happen.
I used to thing it was a long shot not I beginning to think it's becoming when not if. 

 

[Puffy]

A long-term extension signed between today and the beginning of next season would be buying out Stanton's final 2 years of team control (2015 and 2016). Rather than signing an extension today and targeting another payday in his early 30s, wouldn't another approach for Stanton simply be to wait until after his age 26 season to hit the open market for one enormous long-term payday?
 
While I think the Red Sox appear to make a lot of sense as a trade destination, I think it's possible we see a straight trade somewhere else without a negotiated extension a la Adrian Gonzalez. There are intrepid teams out there in the market who would, if he's available, value the remaining 2 years of team control + whatever value they get out at the end of the term (either deadline trade or draft picks) without needing to sign him long term.

 

[maxotaur]

The way I see it is this... There are three arguments to be made here.
 
1. Loria is a cheap skate and his history proves he will sell Stanton off rather than try to compete.
2. Loria is a cheap skate but will only sell this winter if absolutely blown away because he has another year of control over Stanton and get Fernandez back in his rotation as well as another promising prospect or two to be promoted.
3. If any player was ever going to convince Loria to spend, it's Stanton and until there is an indication publicly that the Marlins are shopping not-Mike, we are wasting bandwidth arguing about how the Sox could pry him away.
 
All three arguments have been made repeatedly. Nothing new has been posted in this thread in weeks, maybe months (or years). The best we get is, occasionally, a new sports writer will muse about the possibility and another round of "Ben can trade for him this winter!" "No he can't!" springs up. Can we just let this thread die, please? We all want Stanton but there is zero evidence he's going to be traded before the winter, and there isn't really that much evidence that he'll be traded then, either. We're just spinning our wheels here.

Bravo

 

[timlinin8th]

A long-term extension signed between today and the beginning of next season would be buying out Stanton's final 2 years of team control (2015 and 2016). Rather than signing an extension today and targeting another payday in his early 30s, wouldn't another approach for Stanton simply be to wait until after his age 26 season to hit the open market for one enormous long-term payday?

Or he negotiates for the best of both worlds - 10 year contract with a player opt-out in the middle somewhere. He gets the big dollar contract as insurance if he blows up, but if he can add dollars he gets his one more shot at the market.

 

[BeantownIdaho]

The sky is blue

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

The sky is blue

Only during the day. At night it's closer to black. And of course when it's cloudy it's gray.

 

[67WasBest]

Grey here, must be a sign!

 

[Oppo]

Stanton-Castillo-Cespedes

 

[Oppo]

Stanton-Castillo-Cespedes

With Castillo, would you be open to trading both betts and jbj, whether to the marlins or in a 3way deal? Would be starting all RH OF, but who cares.

Hopefully my post was elevated enough to 'the sky is blue' or 'bravo'

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

The Red Sox have more outfielders fighting for major league roster spots than they have room for and have significant holes in other areas. What does that add up to? Stanton trade, of course!
 
They are not trading for Stanton this winter. It's over. If they make a big trade this winter, it's probably for a starting pitcher or two. Then again, Stanton has a canon for an arm. Babe Ruth used to pitch for the Sox and play outfield on his "off" days. Get 'er done, Theo!
 
In the immortal words of Austin Danger Powers "That train has sailed."

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Of course, the Sox could trade both Castillo and Cespedes (along with some cash and a couple of kid pitchers) to Miami for Stanton. Castillo seems the kind of long-term deal the Marlins can probably actually afford, and after 2015 they can let Cespedes walk (or trade him at the deadline) and grab a few prospects. In the meantime, Miami goes crazy, and the Sox go into next year with Stanton/Ortiz/Napoli in the middle of their order.
 
(Am I serious? I dunno. Should I be?)

 

[OttoC]

And what would the impact be on signing other (foreign) free agents if Boston immediately turned around and traded Castillo? Do we know that it was strictly time/money that got Castillo to sign with Boston or was there perhaps a liking for the Red Sox organization that swung him away from similar offers by other teams to them?

 

[derekson]

If the Marlins were interested in Castillo for ~$10M/year, why weren't they bidding on him? 

 

[Trotski]

http://espn.go.com/boston/columns/mlb/story/_/id/11397992/with-rusney-castillo-signed-boston-red-sox-future-full-possibilities-giancarlo-stanton-chris-sale-perhaps
 

From Edes:
1. Switch-hitting catcher Blake Swihart, an offensive force and much improved defensively.
2. Left-handed pitcher Henry Owens, rated the best pitching prospect in the Double-A Eastern League. Or, if you prefer a right-hander, Rubby De La Rosa or Anthony Ranaudo.
3. Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and his Gold Glove defense, or Mookie Betts, who can play infield and outfield and projects as a leadoff hitter.
4. One year of Cespedes, playing in front of the biggest Cuban-American audience in the country, a power bat who keeps you in contention in 2015 and may incline Marlins fans to be a bit more forgiving about losing Stanton. Or, if you want a proven bat who is cheaper and signed for longer, you can have Craig.
 
It's clear he's throwing shit against the wall, because I can't see how they would land Stanton AND Sale, but I'd have to think that the Sox would do Swihart, Ranaudo, Bradley and Cespedes in a cocaine heartbeat, right? 

 

[geoduck no quahog]

That is fucking sick. Edes is drunk.
 
Imagine giving up Swihart, Owens, Betts and 1 year of Cespedes for a single player - who, at best, is probably going to drive in 40 more runs than than (say) Cespedes - and cost a fortune.
 
...and of course, Stanton will only get better with age and never get hurt.
 
Enough already with the Stanton fantasies.

 

[strek1]

Of course, the Sox could trade both Castillo and Cespedes (along with some cash and a couple of kid pitchers) to Miami for Stanton. Castillo seems the kind of long-term deal the Marlins can probably actually afford, and after 2015 they can let Cespedes walk (or trade him at the deadline) and grab a few prospects. In the meantime, Miami goes crazy, and the Sox go into next year with Stanton/Ortiz/Napoli in the middle of their order.
 
(Am I serious? I dunno. Should I be?)

 I think they can get Stanton without trading Cespedes. I like the sound of "Stanton/Ortiz/Cespedes/Napoli" even better.    And if Castillo pans out, having him leading off would be dynamite. 

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

If the Marlins were interested in Castillo for ~$10M/year, why weren't they bidding on him? 

 
Because their MO is to acquire subsidized or cost controlled talent from other teams. They'd have to step out of their comfort zone to sign someone for a reasonable contract on their own, so they waited for the Red Sox to sign Castillo so they could make a deal for him that they were more comfortable with. The extra complication is just the cost of doing business.
 
Step 1: Let another team sign a player you are interested in.
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!

 

[OptimusPapi]

 
Because their MO is to acquire subsidized or cost controlled talent from other teams. They'd have to step out of their comfort zone to sign someone for a reasonable contract on their own, so they waited for the Red Sox to sign Castillo so they could make a deal for him that they were more comfortable with. The extra complication is just the cost of doing business.
 
Step 1: Let another team sign a player you are interested.
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!

Cards against humanity?

 

[ArgentinaSOXfan]

The question was whether the events of this season had altered his top-down view of the organization. He'd raised his eyes, thinking.
"Five months," he said, "doesn't change five years."
 
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/marlins--playoff-push-not-enough-for-giancarlo-stanton-to-commit-to-future-in-miami-044107815.html

 

[OttoC]

...
Imagine giving up Swihart, Owens, Betts and 1 year of Cespedes for a single player - who, at best, is probably going to drive in 40 more runs than than (say) Cespedes - and cost a fortune....

 
To present an argument by considering its extremes -- A batter who hits a single or a double or a triple every time he comes to the plate but never with a runner on base will not get any RBI but a batter who always bats with the bases loaded but never gets a hits will most probably get some RBI. In other words, there is luck involved with RBI, so another stat might be better. However, there is no way at this time I would give up Swihart, Owens, Betts, and a year of Cespedes for Stanton.

 

[ivanvamp]

 
The question was whether the events of this season had altered his top-down view of the organization. He'd raised his eyes, thinking.
"Five months," he said, "doesn't change five years."
 
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/marlins--playoff-push-not-enough-for-giancarlo-stanton-to-commit-to-future-in-miami-044107815.html
 

 
The Marlins may want to sign him to a mega-deal, but if I'm him, why would I want to stay there?  I don't see the Marlins being willing to be the highest bidder, they perennially stink, and they have a bad owner, and they play in front of one of the smallest crowds in baseball (27th in MLB in 2014).  
 
Long story short:  I don't think he stays with Miami long-term.  That means he's going to be available one way or the other.  He becomes a free agent after 2016.  Here's how much money some of the big market teams have committed for 2017 (including projected arbitration, etc):
 
Boston:  $116.8 million
NY Yankees:  $173.6 million
NY Mets:  $122.1 million
LA Dodgers:  $212.1 million (!!)
Philly:  $134.9 million
Detroit:  $171.7 million
LA Angels:  $154.3 million
San Fran:  $118.2 million
Chi Cubs:  $107.4 million
 
So the Sox have the resources and the low payroll commitments (at the moment, anyway) to be the top bidder for Stanton if he hits free agency.  So do the Sox wait it out and set their franchise up to be the top bidder for Stanton when (still an "if", of course) the time comes?  Or do they make the aggressive play and move heaven and earth to acquire him via trade?
 
Bogaerts, Ranaudo, Vazquez, Barnes, and a low level guy for Stanton.  One of the best young catchers, an absolute top prospect (if we can still view Bogaerts that way), and two very nice pitching prospects, plus a possible lottery ticket as the 5th guy.  It still leaves the Sox with Swihart, Betts, Owens, RDLR, Webster, etc.  

 

[OttoC]

...
Bogaerts, Ranaudo, Vazquez, Barnes, and a low level guy for Stanton.  One of the best young catchers, an absolute top prospect (if we can still view Bogaerts that way), and two very nice pitching prospects, plus a possible lottery ticket as the 5th guy.  It still leaves the Sox with Swihart, Betts, Owens, RDLR, Webster, etc.  

 
If two of those players become solid starters, not necessarily stars but better than league average at their respective positions, that becomes a bad trade.

 

[ivanvamp]

 
If two of those players become solid starters, not necessarily stars but better than league average at their respective positions, that becomes a bad trade.

 
You gotta give something in order to get something.  I think that's a TON to give up for one player, but I also think that Stanton is on a hall of fame trajectory.  That fact, combined with the depth of the Sox' system, means it's a deal I'd be willing to do.

 

[Doctor G]

Betts Swihart and  Eduardo Rodriquez should be the only untouchables.

 

[BornToRun]

Betts Swihart and  Eduardo Rodriquez should be the only untouchables.

Is X suddenly expendable now?

 

[ivanvamp]

I wouldn't exactly call him "expendable".  But I'd be willing to move him for Stanton.

 

[ehaz]

Still, I doubt Miami seriously considers moving him this offseason. Why not try to see what happens while Stanton and Fernandez are playing together next season? They're not in a rush even if they don't sign him, attract a few more Heat fans with another 'stretch run' and then blow up the team.

 

[snowmanny]

 
The Marlins may want to sign him to a mega-deal, but if I'm him, why would I want to stay there?  I
don't see the Marlins being willing to be the
highest bidder, they perennially stink, and they have a bad owner, and they play in front of one of the smallest crowds in baseball (27th in MLB in 2014).  

Long story short:  I don't think he stays with Miami long-term.  That means he's going to be available one way or the other.  He becomes a free agent
after 2016.  Here's how much money some of the big market teams have committed for 2017
(including projected arbitration, etc):
 

Boston:  $116.8 million
NY Yankees:  $173.6 million
NY Mets:  $122.1 million
LA Dodgers:  $212.1 million (!!)
Philly:  $134.9 million
Detroit:  $171.7 million
LA Angels:  $154.3 million
San Fran:  $118.2 million
Chi Cubs:  $107.4 million

 
So the Sox have the resources and the low
payroll commitments (at the moment, anyway) to
be the top bidder for Stanton if he hits free agency.  So do the Sox wait it out and set their franchise up to be the top bidder for Stanton
when (still an "if", of course) the time comes?  Or do they make the aggressive play and move heaven and earth to acquire him via trade?
 
Bogaerts, Ranaudo, Vazquez, Barnes, and a low level guy for Stanton.  One of the best young catchers, an absolute top prospect (if we can still view Bogaerts that way), and two very nice pitching prospects, plus a possible lottery ticket
as the 5th guy.  It still leaves the Sox with Swihart, Betts, Owens, RDLR, Webster, etc.  

The Red Sox have two players under contract for 2017 (Pedroia and Castillo) for $~25Million. They also have a $13.5Million option on Buchholz. Arbitration brings that to $118Million ?

Edit: 116.8