Stanton, 24, has the type of star power that can not only put fans in the seats but can create buzz even from the likes of the evil empire out in Bristol, Conn. Stanton has hit 100 home runs in just four seasons and plays a solid right field. But how do the Padres, a team who has not traded for a power hitter of this magnitude since Greg Vaughn, complete such a trade?
It's quite simple really. The depth in the minor leagues that the Padres have acquired over the last three seasons has set them up to make transactions that could turn the Padres from pretenders into serious contenders. And with the Marlins in full rebuild mode after trading most of their solid veterans, may be looking to completely start over in their new ballpark as well with their new name.
This type of trade may be a five for one player swap. Lets break it down.
The Padres, with all their depth, can afford to depart with a couple of their top pitching prospects.
Casey Kelly and Joe Wieland have both spent time in the top ten of the prospect list and both would be coming off of Tommy John surgery. Kelly has the stuff of an ace while Wieland projects to be a solid number three pitcher.
These two young players could be vital pitchers in a Miami rotation desperate for good pitching.
Two pitchers who are also top prospects who I would advise to be on the untouchable list would be former first rounders Max Fried and Joe Ross. Both are probably two years away but they have the potential to top the Padres rotation for seasons to come.
The Padres would likely need to depart with a veteran to provide some guidance to a young team such as the Marlins. That would be in the form of outfielder Carlos Quentin.
The power hitting Quentin, when healthy, has proven to be a solid hitter both for power and average. He may lack in the defensive category but will make up for it with his bat. It would be unlikely that Quentin would stay with the Marlins for more than one season but he could be a good tool to teach young players how to play the game the right way, although the right way for Quentin sometimes requires brawls but this writer fully supports him.
These three players have all tasted the major leagues with Quentin being the senor of the group but almost all trades these days involve the youth from the minors.
A player of Stanton's caliber, will require teams to give up top prospects. This is no different.
The Padres would need to include both OF Rymer Liriano and C Austin Hedges. The two players are in the top three of the prospect list and hold a ton of value.
Liriano has the ability to be a Mike Trout type of player with maybe less power. A five tool player has not been in a Padres uniform for a very long time and he should be a player that adds instant production to any lineup.
He is expendable though. If the trade happened, Stanton would man right field and with the emerging Kyle Blanks in left, the outfield would become very crowded.
Catcher, Austin Hedges, may very well have the highest upside of all these players. He has arguably the best defense of any catcher and if in the Major Leagues right now, would probably rank in the top five in defensive categories.
He was also a pleasant surprise at the plate hitting for power while not striking out much.
Hedges, like Liriano, is currently blocked at his prospective position. Yasmani Grandal is still very young and a very polished hitter for his age. The steroid suspension definitely hurt him but if he can continue to improve as a hitter and pitch caller behind the plate, than Grandal may become the franchise catcher.
This brings the trade of SP's Kelly and Wieland, OF's Quentin and Liriano and C Hedges from the Padres for OF Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins.
Five players for one may seem like a lot but with the depth the Padres have and the fact they are in contention, a move should be in order to bolster the lineup and excite the fan base.
A player of Stanton's caliber, will require teams to give up top prospects. This is no different.
The Padres would need to include both OF Rymer Liriano and C Austin Hedges. The two players are in the top three of the prospect list and hold a ton of value.
Liriano has the ability to be a Mike Trout type of player with maybe less power. A five tool player has not been in a Padres uniform for a very long time and he should be a player that adds instant production to any lineup.
He is expendable though. If the trade happened, Stanton would man right field and with the emerging Kyle Blanks in left, the outfield would become very crowded.
Catcher, Austin Hedges, may very well have the highest upside of all these players. He has arguably the best defense of any catcher and if in the Major Leagues right now, would probably rank in the top five in defensive categories.
He was also a pleasant surprise at the plate hitting for power while not striking out much.
Hedges, like Liriano, is currently blocked at his prospective position. Yasmani Grandal is still very young and a very polished hitter for his age. The steroid suspension definitely hurt him but if he can continue to improve as a hitter and pitch caller behind the plate, than Grandal may become the franchise catcher.
This brings the trade of SP's Kelly and Wieland, OF's Quentin and Liriano and C Hedges from the Padres for OF Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins.
Five players for one may seem like a lot but with the depth the Padres have and the fact they are in contention, a move should be in order to bolster the lineup and excite the fan base.
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