Report: Yankees On The Verge Of Adding Stanton To Vaunted Lineup
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The unbelievable is about to happen.
A trade between the Miami Marlins and the New York Yankees is in place to bring reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to the Bronx, WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reported Saturday morning.
Stanton blockbuster only awaits physical result now. Exact amount going to NYY with Giancarlo is 30M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2017
Who the Yankees are giving up in the deal has not been confirmed, but Heyman reported second baseman Starlin Castro, pitching prospect Jorge Guzman and infielder Jose Devers are believed to be what will ultimately land Stanton. The Marlins will also pay $30 million of the remaining $295 million left on the final 10 years of Stanton's contract, Heyman reported.
Stanton hit .281 with 59 home runs and 132 RBIs this past season. He will make $25 million in 2018, and has an opt-out clause in his contract that can be exercised after the 2020 season.
The trade is contingent on Stanton waiving his no-trade clause and passing a physical, but Heyman reported Stanton had given his consent and was on his way to New York on Saturday to see the Yankees' doctors.
The Yankees have made it clear they want to be under the $197 million luxury tax threshold next season. So, getting the Marlins to pay a percentage of Stanton's contract was a priority.
Yanks remain under 197M luxury tax threshold for 2018. But if they can shed parts of some deals (ellsbury, headley) that would help with starting pitcher pursuit.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2017
On Friday morning reports surfaced saying the Yankees were one of four teams to make Stanton's wish list. Hours later, the 28-year-old outfielder used his no-trade clause to nix deals to both the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
A member of the Marlins since breaking into the majors in 2010, Stanton has 267 homers and 672 RBIs in 986 career games.
It's difficult to blame the Yankees for going hard after Stanton, given the prospect of him playing in an outfield that already has Aaron Judge, who was named AL Rookie of the Year after hitting 52 homers and driving in 114 runs in 2017.
Judge sent a tweet to Stanton, showing a clip from the movie "Step Brothers" with Will Ferrell saying, "Did we just become best friends?"
Hey @Giancarlo818....???? pic.twitter.com/0542MWBIpv
— Aaron Judge (@TheJudge44) December 9, 2017
Throw in Gary Sanchez, who belted 33 homers and had 90 RBIs as part of a lineup that led MLB in homers (241) and was second in runs (858), and it's easy to understand why many would view the Yankees' offense invincible with Stanton in tow.
Please stay with CBSNewYork.com for more on this developing story ...