Giancarlo Stanton easily is the face of the franchise. How can the new ownership restart things and keep him happy? Is it worth it?
-- @FrankyRitz11
Stanton's home run surge is one of the biggest stories in all sports. We're on this wave seeing if he can top 60. That said, the 27-year-old is owed close to $300 million for the next 10 years, and his salary jumps to $25 million in 2018.
The Marlins will absolutely entertain trade options for Stanton in the offseason, because his stock will never be higher, and the club is at a crossroads with the impending ownership change. The reality remains, this franchise has a thin farm system and it doesn't have a true ace to head the rotation. Miami also has several core players about to get a big pay raise.
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If Stanton stays put, the tradeoff may be to part with other core players, like Marcell Ozuna. That would weaken the lineup and perhaps strengthen the pitching. If that happens, we could be looking at a 2018 that resembles this season, and late last season -- a club struggling to get above .500.
How much say do the new owners have right now over trades and acquisitions?
-- @Halfbutton
Until the sale is completed and the group headed by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter takes over, Jeffrey Loria will continue to make the decisions. The team isn't looking actively to make major trades before the Aug. 31 revocable waiver deadline. Perhaps some minor moves could be made.
Also keep in mind, at least for 2018, chances are several current team executives are likely to remain. The sale may not be completed until October, and offseason planning will start quickly. Team president David Samson and president of baseball operations Michael Hill are under contract next year, and indications are both likely will remain.
If the sale of the team is complete, do you see the new owners pressing the restart button or making some big free-agent deals for starting pitchers like Jacob Arrieta or Yu Darvish?
-- @marlinso05
Restarting should strongly be considered. The club has played better since the All-Star break, and there are great stories like Stanton. But realistically, the team fell out of contention in the National League East early -- Washington has a commanding lead -- and Miami wasn't really in it at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
For 2018, the Marlins currently have eight players signed for $95 million. You mentioned Arrieta and Darvish. Both are 31-years-old and likely will command at least $100 million. For where Miami is right now, that's extremely risky.
Do you see the Marlins calling up Dillon Peters, Trevor Richards and Brian Anderson in September?
-- @drguava
Let's start with Anderson, the Marlins' No. 3-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com who has come on strong since being promoted to Triple-A New Orleans. The 24-year-old third baseman is batting .354 in 27 games since being brought up from Double-A Jacksonville. But he exited Wednesday's game with a mild concussion after being involved in a collision. If that isn't a serious issue, Anderson still could be called up in September. Peters (No. 4) is building up nicely at Jacksonville, after missing a couple of months with a fractured left thumb. The club will be cautious with him, but the left-hander could also get a big league callup. Richards (No. 18), a right-hander at Jacksonville, has been solid. I haven't heard much about him being in line to see big league time in September.
What is the latest on JT Riddle? Did he have surgery? Will he be ready for Spring Training?
A number of fans have asked about Riddle, the rookie shortstop who had left shoulder surgery on Aug. 11. The procedure was to his non-throwing shoulder, and the estimated recovery time is six months. The Marlins insist he should be ready for the start of Spring Training. But like all players who miss substantial time with a serious injury, you don't take many chances. So I would expect Riddle to be in Spring Training, starting off initially with restrictions. If all goes well, he should be ready for Opening Day.