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The Miami Marlins are not known for their ability to properly handle situations publicly. But according to Giancarlo Stanton's agent, Miami has done everything right since losing their star right fielder.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald spoke to Joel Wolfe, Stanton's agent, who Jackson quoted saying the organization has been cooperative and pleasant to work with throughout the process.
With the Marlins prepared to offer Giancarlo Stanton a longterm contract this winter, it’s worth noting that Stanton and his agent, Joel Wolfe, have been very impressed by how the Marlins have handled the aftermath of his injuries from being hit in the face with a pitch --– from owner Jeffrey Loria sending a private plane to transport Stanton and his family from Milwaukee to Miami, to Loria calling Bud Selig to line up the best medical specialists, to Loria calling or texting Stanton a bunch of times, to team president David Samson spending hours with Stanton’s father in the hospital last Friday.
"The Marlins have been great --– spared no expense, opened up every possible door," Wolfe said. "We couldn’t ask for more. David had other commitments that day and he spent hours with [Stanton's] father, making him feel comfortable. It was a very decent thing to do."
While they have been helpful and sympathetic, the Marlins' actions are likely indicative of the mindset of the organization moving forward. Loria and Samson want to ensure Stanton is healthy before beginning extension talks this offseason, and their actions suggest they are looking to gain the complete respect of Stanton and his family before the season ends.
Stanton, who the Marlins announced on Wednesday will be shut down for the rest of the regular season, was a National League MVP candidate before being hit by a Mike Fiers fastball last week. He was batting .288 with 37 home runs and 105 RBIs before getting hurt.
The Marlins have not discussed the details of an extension publicly, but the expectation is, if Stanton returns 100 percent healthy, he will request between $250-$300 million over eight years with a no-trade clause. Stanton is eligible to become a free agent after 2016, and the Marlins don't want to risk losing a piece of their core.
Could this make Stanton more likely to consider staying longterm? Wolfe said he doesn’t know yet, saying that decision is "not on his radar."
Stanton, especially after suffering a variety of injuries, does not want to think about his future with the organization. But the Marlins, based on their handling of the injury situation, want to get a deal done quickly, not having to worry about losing Stanton to free agency.
If nothing else, it is reassuring to see the Marlins, who have had several public relation conflicts, praised publicly. It may not be what makes Stanton stay, but doesn't give him another reason to want to leave.