The Giants reportedly sent their heavy hitters to Los Angeles, and now, they’re waiting on a call from the heaviest hitter of them all.
According to Sirius XM radio host Craig Mish, Giants’ general manager Bobby Evans, vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean, and manager Bruce Bochy all traveled to Southern California on Thursday evening to meet with representatives of 2017 National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton.
The Giants’ pursuit of Stanton is no secret, but Stanton’s full no-trade clause could be the largest remaining hurdle in a potential deal between San Francisco and Miami. Evans and the Giants are reportedly willing to assume a massive portion of the $295 million remaining on Stanton’s contract, but if the Marlins’ right fielder refuses a trade to San Francisco, then the Giants will begin looking at other options to upgrade a team that finished 64-98 last season.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, as of Friday morning, the Giants remained uncertain whether Stanton would be willing to accept a trade to San Francisco. Stanton and his representative who attended Thursday night’s meeting are likely discussing the Giants’ selling points, but it’s unclear whether Evans and Co. did enough to alleviate the slugger’s concerns about a trade.
The #SFGiants still have not been told whether Giancarlo Stanton would waive his no trade clause and accept a trade to SF, if they get a deal done with #Marlins
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 1, 2017
If the Giants are unable to work out a trade within the next week, San Francisco may be forced to resort to other options, because the front office has a list of priorities that includes finding a new center fielder, a new third baseman, and help for the team’s bullpen.