Stanton joins Kimmel for late-night laughs

Marlins slugger discusses future, World Series on program

October 25th, 2017

MIAMI -- After leading the Major Leagues with 59 home runs and 132 RBIs in the regular season, Marlins All-Star hit the late-night TV circuit on Tuesday, making a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Sherman Oaks, Calif., native touched on a number of topics, including his National League MVP Award-worthy season and the possibility of being traded.
Stanton said he expects to talk with new Marlins chief executive officer Derek Jeter after the World Series.
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"We're going to get together after the World Series," Stanton said. "Everything stays quiet until then. No meetings."

On Tuesday night, the Dodgers edged the Astros, 3-1, in Game 1 of the World Series presented by YouTube TV.
Stanton, who broke in as a 20-year-old with the Marlins in 2010, is coming off his best season -- posting a slash line of .281/.376/.631, and he scored 123 runs.
A second-round Draft pick by the Marlins in 2007, Stanton is one of the most popular players in franchise history. But if the team rebuilds, he may not be part of the plans moving forward.
"It does seem crazy," Stanton said. "That's all I've known, my whole career."
Stanton's salary increases to $25 million in 2018, and the four-time All-Star has $295 million remaining on his contract. He also has a full no-trade clause, so he has a say in any possible deal.
The Marlins have yet to say which direction they will be headed in 2018. After finishing 77-85, the team is likely headed for some type of restructuring. While trading Stanton is not something Miami would do on a whim, it's possible that deals could be explored if the club feels he could bring in multiple top prospects and improve its young talent base.

Prying to see what teams Stanton could be open to joining, Kimmel suggested the Mets. But Stanton scuffed, saying: "I like beating up on the Mets."
The Dodgers?
"I grew up a Dodger fan," Stanton said. "If that's where they want to go."
The Red Sox also could be a fit. Asked if he would considering being a designated hitter, Stanton said yes, but added: "I think the day games would be the DH. Wake up early, kick back, just focus on hitting."
What's next for Stanton promises to be one of the most anticipated storylines of the Hot Stove season, which gets underway after the World Series.
For now, Stanton is being a fan, following the Dodgers and Astros.
"I'll pop in, I'll see the highlights," Stanton said. "I won't watch start to finish, but I like to see what's going on."
Although he rooted for the Dodgers as a kid, Stanton also is pulling for the Astros, and the city of Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
"I'm in a crossroads," Stanton said. "Growing up, you always want [the Dodgers] to win. [But] you have Houston, and what happened to that city, too. It'd be great for them to win. So I'm going to sit back and enjoy the show, really."
Kimmel also asked Stanton about his record-setting month of August, when he matched an MLB mark with 18 homers.

"That was unreal," Stanton said. "I had to do everything the same. I had to make sure, if I didn't one in two days, erase what I'm doing, and do something else. If I kept on a little flow, I was doing exactly the same thing. If that's wearing the same underwear, wearing the same socks."
Reaching 60 home runs, he added, would have been nice. But 59, was special.
"Everyone was like, '60 is everything,'" Stanton said. "Sixty is everything. Fifty-nine is like, eh."