As we move ever closer to the July 31 trading deadline a new name or two appears to pop up in the MLB trade rumor mill each day. Today that new name belongs to Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, according to Bleacher Report.
The Marlins have one of the worst records in baseball and have already said goodbye to their best pitcher, Ricky Nolasco, so it seems natural that Stanton might be going places. The Marlins have an abundance of holes that need filling before they can contend and Stanton could be swapped for a slew of high level prospects. It makes sense why other teams are salivating over the young star. He's 23, crushes the ball and is being paid barely half a million dollars this season.
Danny Knobler of CBS Sports says that the Marlins are probably going to hang on to their star outfielder through the deadline. And the winter. Knobler says that Miami's rebuilding program has been going along at a much greater pace than anticipated with one scout who follows the organization telling CBS Sports that the Marlins are "going to be good again, and soon." This means that while the fish will probably be open to selling a lot of their roster they are going to hang on to Stanton for a while longer.
Matt Garza is still thought to be the best player available for trade, although he may not be as valuable as the Cubs like to think he is. David Kaplan of CSN Chicago is reporting that sources have said that the Cubs are looking for a few elite level prospects in exchange for the right-hander; an asking price better suited for a number one starter and not the two or three starter that teams view Garza as. An NL scout also questioned Garza's durability.
"The big question about Garza is, 'Are you getting the guy who just pitched beautifully for five starts or are you getting the guy who has been on the DL three times in the last three years?'" the scout told CSN Chicago.
Kaplan believes that the Cubs are going to hold out until someone meets their asking price. While the team has shown interest in getting the deal done sooner rather than later they still want to make sure that they get the right amount of compensation for the pitcher.
Seattle's Kendrys Morales will most likely be wearing a different jersey by the end of the month; will that jersey by black and gold? ESPN's Jayson Stark recently reported that the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates, only one game behind the Cardinals at the break, could have some interest in the first baseman. Morales is hitting .280 with 14 homers and 54 RBIs so far this year while playing his home games in the pitcher's paradise that is Safeco Field. Morales would be a welcome addition to the middle of the Bucs' lineup as they make a push to finally return to the playoffs.
Other teams say Pirates would love middle-of-order bat RT @Buster_ESPN: @BobRider9 @jaysonst reported Kendrys Morales is possibility for PIT
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 14, 2013
