clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Marlins need to change to keep Giancarlo Stanton

The slugging right-fielder cannot opt out for another five seasons, but some drastic changes will need to take place if Miami wants to see him play out the full length of the record breaking contract.

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Giancarlo Stanton is probably not a happy camper right now. The jewel in Miami's crown was promised a playoff-caliber team, a winning culture in the dugout and a stable and competitive front office when he signed his mega-deal in November. Less than a year down the line, the club fails to boast any of those characteristics.

After being a trendy Wild Card pick at the start of the year, the Marlins might actually lose 100 games and they look destined to not sport a winning record once over the course of the entire season. The well-liked and respected Mike Redmond was fired as the Marlins manager in early May to be replaced by the general manager, Dan Jennings, and the front office looks set for a complete re-shuffle this winter.

Not exactly what Stanton signed up for, then. There is a sense that there isn't even a light at the end of the tunnel, as the team will likely be small players in the free agent market again and will be limited in the trade market due to the almost non-existent prospect pool. The Fish promised to Stanton that they would change, and they haven't shown anything other than more penny-pinching as of yet.

This has to stop; it has been happening for too long in Miami. Jeffrey Loria has now spent more than he has probably wanted to on two occasions: 2012 and this season. Both seasons left the people of Miami with a profound sour taste, and Mr. Loria with even less of a desire to field a (more competitive) team with a higher payroll.

The organization certainly disgruntled the likes of Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle when they traded them after the 2012 season after being promised a future in Miami. This will definitely make free agents think twice if they are approached by the Fish this winter. On top of that, they are now starting to disgruntle players already on the payroll, which threatens the whole operation. They're even starting to speak out.

Giancarlo Stanton and Jeffrey Loria want to win championships; they should be best friends. However, less than half way through the original deal, Stanton could leave Miami in search of a postseason berth. The Marlins have a very small window to succeed, and they can't afford to hold back on spending money. It is Jeffrey Loria that has to change, not the front office personnel. One has to spend money to make money.

Giancarlo Stanton is a once in a generation type player, and he has shown that he is willing to spend the rest of his career with the organization that drafted him. In return, he wants to win, and the team should give him the best chance to do that. Both parties can help each other to achieve their goals. Firstly, the manager and front office need to be addressed, then its on to the free agent market. The Fish need to make a splash. Giancarlo Stanton's future in Miami depends on it.