One day after the Giants engaged in a meeting with Giancarlo Stanton's representatives in Los Angeles, the Cardinals have followed suit, according to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi. The club has not confirmed the report.
Morosi said St. Louis officials met with Stanton's reps Friday, though the meeting did not necessarily include Stanton. A similar meeting occurred Thursday between Stanton's representatives and senior members of the Giants' front office, which included executive vice president of baseball operations Brian Sabean, general manager Bobby Evans and manager Bruce Bochy.
Stanton has a full no-trade clause and has not yet told the Marlins he would accept a deal to San Francisco or St. Louis. The Giants and Cardinals are the teams that have expressed the most overt interest in acquiring the reigning National League MVP, although the Dodgers are his preferred destination, according to Morosi. Stanton's strong ties to Southern California could give L.A. the leg up, though another West Coast team like the Giants could also fit the bill. Stanton can also opt out of his 10-year, $295 million contract after the 2020 season.
Stanton's no-trade clause also gives him the ability to insist on salary increases to offset state income tax differences between Florida and other states. He also could negotiate changes to his opt-out clause. MLB Network analyst Dan O'Dowd said Friday that it may be wise for Stanton to move up his opt-out by one year -- from 2020 to 2019 -- so as to avoid becoming a free agent at the same time as Michael Trout.
Morosi reported Wednesday that the Marlins would likely accept a trade offer of Giants infielder Joe Panik and prospects Chris Shaw and Tyler Beede, provided that San Francisco paid at least $250 million of the remaining money on Stanton's contract.
The outfielder/first baseman Shaw and right-handed pitcher Beede represent the Nos. 2 and 3 prospects in the Giants' system but neither appears on MLBPipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. One source told MLB.com that the Giants and Marlins had discussed at least one version of a Stanton trade this week that did not include all three of Panik, Shaw and Beede.
The Cardinals may have more to offer in the way of prospects, with four in the Top 100 and a bevy of promising pitchers. MLB.com has also confirmed Miami has interest in right-hander Sandy Alcantara, ranked as St. Louis' No. 9 prospect by MLBPipeline.com.
If Stanton agrees to be traded to the Cardinals or Giants, sources told Morosi a deal could be finalized within the next several days. If Stanton holds out for the Dodgers, the timeline is less certain.
The Yankees remain a dark-horse candidate to acquire Stanton, as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman first reported that New York has also engaged in discussions with the Marlins.