Phillies rumors: Giancarlo Stanton a potential target this offseason

Phillies rumors have now turned to another slugger on the trade market

The latest Phillies rumors has them potentially looking at New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

New York acquired Stanton and his massive $325 million contract from the Marlins last season. Despite Stanton hitting 38 home runs, he hasn’t fit into the New York fanbase.

This rumor of the Phillies potentially looking at Stanton comes from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Personally, I take anything Cafardo writes with a grain of salt because much of it is wild speculation.

The way Cafardo phrases the Phillies potential connection to Stanton feels once again like stuff being thrown against the wall in a quiet offseason.

Nor would it be far-fetched if the Giants wanted a big hitter to give their staggering offense a jump start, or if the Phillies decided to include Stanton on their list of superstars to acquire.

There’s no basis for this rumor, and Cafardo essentially says he made this up off the top of his head. He says “if” the Phillies wanted to add Stanton to their wish list it wouldn’t be far-fetched.

Stanton just turned 29 and has two more guaranteed years left on his contract worth $52 million. After that, there are seven years worth of player options ranging from $25-32 million per year.

Cafardo says Stanton would be a cheaper option than Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, but whoever acquires Stanton would be left scrambling every season hoping the slugger picks up an option.

Stanton’s option years give him the opportunity to pursue more money and another record-setting contract. He can opt-out after seeing what Harper, Machado, and Mike Trout will make over the next three years.

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Hypothetically, Stanton would fit perfectly into the Phillies lineup as a power-hitting righty playing right field. Mix him and Rhys Hoskins into the middle of the lineup and you might have one of the best power duos in baseball.

The price for Stanton is a big unknown after the Yankees gave up Starlin Castro and prospect Jose Devers and Jorge Guzman, a bargain considering what Stanton can bring.

Would Carlos Santana, JoJo Romero, Adam Haseley, and another player move the needle for Stanton?

Again, I chalk any Phillies rumors from Cafardo as nothing but wild theories, but it’s something to watch this offseason if the Phillies can’t get Harper.