Yes, Giancarlo Stanton can earn a total of $325 million over the course of 13 years. However, there are a number of stipulations regarding his contract that actually don't make it sound or look as crazy as many had originally thought.
If you look at Stanton's contract, he's scheduled to earn an annual salary of $25 million, but that won't be the case in the beginning of the deal. The slugger is expected to make just $30 million over the first three years and $107 million total in the first six seasons (before he's eligible to opt out). The payment breakdown is $6.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016 and $14.5 million in 2017, plus $77 million over the subsequent three seasons.
If he doesn't opt-out after the 2020 season, Stanton will earn $218 million over the final seven years of the deal, which would equate to about $31.14 million annually, up from the $17.83 million he'll be earning from 2015-2020. He also has a no-trade clause throughout the entirety of the contract.
One source told ESPN.com that Stanton's contract is structured this way because he wanted the team to have financial flexibility within the first five years to build a formidable team around him. It all makes sense now as to why the Marlins opened contract extension talks with young stars Christian Yelich, Jose Fernandez and Adeiny Hechavarria shortly after they began working on Stanton's historic extension.
The deal benefits both sides in the sense that it gives the Marlins ample time to build a contending team in (right now) a weak NL East division that had only one team with a winning record in 2014. Miami is looking to add a middle-of-the-order bat to give Stanton some assistance in carrying the load, which explains their interest in first baseman Adam LaRoche. Additionally, the team was previously linked to Pablo Sandoval in October, but the only clubs that are reportedly interested in the free-agent third baseman are the Giants, Red Sox, White Sox, Blue Jays and Padres. The Giants and Red Sox are believed to be the front-runners, but could the Marlins sneak in if those two don't present the offer he wants?
On top of that, ESPN's Jim Bowden writes the Marlins "are committed to adding another top starting pitcher and are said to be already involved in negotiations with free-agent pitcher James Shields, who just helped lead the Royals to their first World Series in 29 years." Bowden also mentioned their ability to trade for a second baseman, such as Ben Zobrist, Daniel Murphy or Chris Taylor, because their farm system is strong.
Could we see the Marlins contending in the next few years? Thanks to Stanton's consideration for the team's future, it could very well become a reality.
