A source confirmed late Friday evening that the Yankees were closing in on a deal for Giancarlo Stanton.
🚨 Source: Stanton and Yankees close to a deal! 🚨 nothing certain, just “close” #mlb
— Matt Enuco (@Matt_Enuco) December 9, 2017
Early Saturday morning reports began flooding in that a deal was being finalized and would include few if any top prospects and a veteran while the Yankees are suspected to absorb a significant portion of Stanton’s contract.
Starlin Castro is rumored to be the veteran heading to the Marlins but hasn’t been confirmed yet.
I reported #Yankees are sending at least Castro to #Marlins among veterans and prospects, but not their top ones
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2017
sources: yankees and marlins have a deal for giancarlo stanton
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2017
Stanton trade to #Yankees happening, as @JonHeyman said.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2017
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Last night, the source made it clear that a deal could fall through but that contract details were being discussed. Stanton has vetoed offers from the Giants and Cardinals but is still willing to consider moves to the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros and Cubs.
#Yankees in play for Stanton, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2017
Sources: Yankees making progress on a trade for Giancarlo Stanton. One source cautioned nothing done. Another was confident it’s moving toward that. Either way, momentum for Stanton to Yankees is significant.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2017
The Marlins are under pressure to cut salary providing incentive for the Yankees to cut a deal. New York might have to cut significant salary in order to absorb the kind of contract-haul the Marlins are sure to jettison with Stanton. Jon Heyman reports that a high priced veteran with “a mix of prospects” could be in order, but hurdles remain.
There’s progress on Yankees Stanton talk and hope, but hurdles remain. It’d likely be a mix of prospects with a high-priced veteran “(s) going to Miami too.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2017
Details are developing and Stanton has the power to trash any deal, but considering the state of the Yankees lineup it doesn’t seem likely he would.