Cardinals Rumors: St Louis makes offer for Giancarlo Stanton
Unconfirmed Cardinals rumors have surfaced that St. Louis has made an offer for Giancarlo Stanton.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported early in the week that two frontrunners for Giancarlo Stanton had emerged in the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. What exciting Giants and Cardinals rumors, to be sure.
Friday, on ESPN’s Hot Stove broadcast, Phil Rogers reported there might be a trade offer that would send Stanton from the Marlins to the Cardinals, which gives, even more, life to these Cardinals rumors and rumblings.
St. Louis Cardinals would receive:
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Brad Ziegler
Miami Marlins would receive:
- RHP Alex Reyes
- RHP Sandy Alcantara
- Right Fielder: Randal Grichuk
- Shortstop: Aledmys Diaz
If true, this deal would cause a significant paradigm shift not only in the NL Central or National League for that matter but all of Major League Baseball.
Here is the “check” that the St. Louis Cardinals or any aspiring team would have to pick up.
- 2018: $25 million
- 2019: $26 million
- 2020: $26 million
- 2021: $29 million
- 2022: $29 million
- 2023: $32 million
- 2024: $32 million
- 2025: $32 million
- 2026: $29 million
- 2027: $25 million
- 2028: $25 million team option, $10 million buyout
Brad Ziegler, who attended Missouri State University during his collegiate career, was part of the team’s 2003 College World Series berth.
He then continued that success in the pros, with a long, steady career, which includes stops with the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, and now with the Miami Marlins.
His most productive seasons were with the Diamondbacks in 2015-2016, earning the primary role of closer. It’s unknown if that is why St. Louis is reportedly interested, but he would be a good addition to the bullpen.
In the later years of his career, Ziegler has transitioned into more of a finesse pitcher, establishing a “Submarine” style windup, which has been effective in extending his career.
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The St. Louis Cardinals would not be coming out of this possible trade without giving up anything. Grichuk has been a staple in an outfield by committee during his young career.
Although he has been inconsistent, he has the potential to turn into the type of player that Stanton his now.
The biggest possible blow would be giving up Alex Reyes, who was a lockdown spot starter and bullpen machine until he had Tommy John surgery in the offseason.
Due back sometime mid to late in the 2018 season, he is one of the most promising young pitchers in all of Major League Baseball.
The St. Louis Cardinals could really be in business with the likes of Giancarlo Stanton and Brad Ziegler.
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Now, Reyes and Grichuck would be especially missed, but that feeling would be short lived when the slugger and veteran bullpen master dons the Birds on the bat uniform.