In November 2014, when Giancarlo Stanton signed the biggest contract in American sports history, it was seen as the first in a series of moves that would eventually lead the Miami Marlins to relevance once again. The 13-year, $325 million deal, while eye-popping, seemed almost reasonable for a player of Stanton’s ability.
There are only a handful of players who are probably worth a deal 10 years+ and Stanton is one of them. It would be safe to assume that committing that amount of resources to one player over the next decade would serve as a catalyst for the front office in Miami to build a winning team that could be competitive long-term.
There are many theories on why Miami continues to be a joke many of which revolve around their inability to commit to a plan. But if Marlins fans, the media, and other pundits are outraged and perplexed by the Marlins strategy over the last several years, what are Stanton’s thoughts? At what point does the money lose its luster and losing becomes intolerable?
Second Half Favorites
- Rangers charging hard in AL West and wild card races
- The Orioles’ playoff potential is strong
- Checking in with the new and improved Toronto Blue Jays
- D.C. collapse: what brought down the Nationals?
- Who’s the best in the AL West?
- What happened to the Indians this season?
- Are the Minnesota Twins finished?
- The bruised, battered Giants push for the playoffs
- Can the Yankees hang on to a playoff spot?
What you can’t blame the Marlins for is doing everything in their power to keep Stanton. Since his debut in 2010, Stanton has slugged 181 homers, knocked in 466 runs, and has a .909 OPS. He was runner-up in the MVP voting last season and was well on his way to finishing high in the voting this year before a wrist injury sidelined him in June. In 74 games he was already at 27 homers (last year he hit 37 homers in 145 games). Although he has missed some games throughout his career due to injury, for the most part he’s been durable and even when he missed games his numbers at the end of the season would suggest he had played the whole year.
As mentioned, the deal would not have happened (presumably) if the Marlins had not sold Stanton on the inevitability of them being competitive in the near future. One thing is for sure, the near past has been less than competitive. Since Stanton joined the team in 2010, the Marlins are 381-490, including a 100 loss season in 2013. The hyped 2012 team (the Ozzie Guillen year) went far below expectations (finished 69-93). Indeed, since Stanton’s debut, “below expectations” should have been the team motto.
Granted, the deal hasn’t even been official for a year yet. There is plenty of time for the Marlins to right the ship before Stanton bails. The contract is constructed in such a manner that the Marlins should have plenty of money to get the players they need. The contract is very back-loaded – in fact, Stanton is only making $6.5 million this season. While his salary does gradually increase until it reaches $26 million in 2019, the Marlins can’t use the excuse that they’re financially strapped for the next couple years. Stanton clearly wants to win in Miami and is willing to do his part.
Of course, the other school of thought is that buying players has not worked. The teams that have been the most successful over the past several years, the Cardinals, Giants, Royals, and even the Pirates, have not broken the bank in purchasing big free agents. They make strategic acquisitions and focus on developing players rather than relying on high-priced players who rarely pan out or at the very least, aren’t enough to make a club a winning team. The Marlins shouldn’t take the financial flexibility they enjoy because of how Stanton’s contract is constructed as a green light to spend money like a rookie NFL player; they should, as mentioned on this site, find a plan, commit to a plan, and most importantly stick with that plan. Buying players hoping it works, and then selling them off when it doesn’t has not worked out so far.
From Stanton’s point of view, time is ticking. Stanton can opt out of the contract after six years if he’s not happy with the ways things have progressed. Rest assured, if the Marlins still haven’t appeared in the postseason by that point, it’s adios for the big man. Stanton is only 25 years old and arguably hasn’t reached his prime yet. If would be sad if he wastes the next five years of his career wasting away in a city that doesn’t care about baseball and even worse, a front office which doesn’t really care about winning. If the Marlins aren’t committed to putting a winning product on the field, there are 29 other teams who will be lining up to lure Stanton to take his talent away from South Beach.
