:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35030789/20140628_ajl_su8_130.JPG.0.jpg)
Giancarlo Stanton could have been a Houston Astro.
Houston started storing all of their internal trade discussions in Anonbin, and rumors dating back to last season's July 31 trade deadline were made public. While most of the messages were related to dealing Bud Norris, the records indicate the Astros contacted the Marlins about making a trade for Stanton last November.
Two involved the Marlins, including this one dated Nov. 15, 2013: "[General manager Jeff Luhnow] talked to [Marlins GM Dan Jennings] and said we had interest in [Giancarlo] Stanton. DJ said he doesn't think he'll trade Stanton and the only deal he could think of from us that would work would be [George] Springer and [Carlos] Correa. JL said that would not work. JL posited a deal around [Jarred] Cosart and [Delino] Deshields."
While adding several veterans to the roster during the course of the offseason, the Marlins made it clear they weren't going to trade Stanton. Miami and General Manager Dan Jennings likely would have needed to be blown away for Stanton to be moved in any capacity, and once Luhnow rejected the proposal involving two of Houston's top prospects, the conversation ended.
Although Jennings didn't complete a deal, the rumors prove the trend that the Marlins are in consistent pursuit of prospects instead of building around a core of talent. Stanton has posted a .313/.408/.590 line to complement 21 home runs and 60 RBIs thus far in 2014.
Jennings, when contacted by USA Today on Monday, denied that there have been any discussions involving Stanton since he became GM in September.
#Marlins GM Dan Jennings says it's completely fabricated that they ever offered Stanton to #Astros or any other team calling it 'laughable."
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 30, 2014
Dan Jennings says that the #Marlins have never discussed trading Giancarlo Stanton since he became GM
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 30, 2014
The Marlins will likely begin extension talks with Stanton moving forward, but it is difficult to believe, despite the organization's history, that moving Stanton was a possibility considering his age and past success.
Should Stanton wish to leave Miami, a trade may be a possibility, and Houston would likely be interested.
Morrison Also Discussed
In December, the Marlins considered trading Logan Morrison to Houston, and notably sought Matt Dominguez or Jose Altuve.
In a note dated last Dec. 9: "MIA said they need a 2B or 3B in exchange for [Logan] Morrison. Inquired on [Jose] Altuve and [Matt] Dominguez. They also expressed interest in Folty, McCullers, and Carlos Perez."
Mike Foltynewicz and Lance McCullers are two of the Astros’ better pitching prospects, rated Nos. 4 and 5, respectively, in Baseball America’s organizational rankings heading into this season. Perez is a Triple-A catcher.
Miami was looking for a second or third baseman at the time, making the discussions justified. The Marlins instead sent Morrison to Seattle in exchange for Carter Capps, a reliever currently on the disabled list.