Stanton to Texas: optimistic speculation

Oct 1, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) at bat against the New York Mets at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

When I first heard about the Blue Jays/Marlins blockbuster deal via MLB Network, the first thing I thought was that the Rangers need to pursue tower-toppling Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Imagine what a player like Stanton could do at The Ballpark in Arlington. He already broke records and scoreboards in Miami last year, surpassing expectations in a injury-plagued, yet still overly productive season for the 23-year old.

The team could replace Josh Hamilton with an outfielder with more promise for the next five seasons.

I have no doubt that the Rangers are thinking the same thing, but there is just one issue: the Marlins have said they aren’t shopping Stanton.

Oh, come on, really?

You’ll alienate your fan base by hiring a Castro-supporting manager, making the taxpayers pay for that rainbow cluster of nonsense that you call a fountain and trading away all but two good players on your team, but you won’t further improve your farm system by getting rid of more salary and selling Stanton?

That doesn’t make any sense, but the the Miami front office continues to work in mysterious ways.

Perhaps the only reason they won’t trade Stanton is because the show he puts on at the plate is the only thing keeping the Marlins-faithful in their seats.

If you could not tell by his eloquent tweet yesterday evening — “Alright, I’m pissed off!!! Plain & Simple” — Stanton is quite displeased about the front office, which is basically conceding that the team will not be competing next year.

So does that mean he will be a detriment to the clubhouse? I hope he goes to the office and pulls a Carson Palmer, demanding a trade or he will retire.

That might force their hand a little bit.

That’s definitely optimistic thinking. From everything I’ve heard, Stanton is not that kind of player.

There is another factor here, however: what would it take to land Stanton, if the Marlins do decide to trade him?

Well first of all, Miami would inquire about Jurickson Profar, but is that the Rangers best move? I don’t really know, but it’s hard to say you would not trade Profar, who is still trying work his way into the starting lineup, for a guy that blasted 37 home runs in only 123 games in 2012. Plus, Stanton is not a free agent until 2016.

You’d expect the team to throw in infielder Mike Olt and top pitching prospects Martin Perez and Cody Buckel, but the deal may hinge on Profar, and I think the team should pounce on the chance if it comes up.

The fact of the matter is that the Marlins will probably stick to their word and won’t deal Stanton, but it never hurt to speculate, right?

This will probably blow over in a week or so and we will all turn our attention back to what it is going to take to land Justin Upton.

Man, I love hot stove season.