Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE
According to the New York Daily News, the New York Mets are going to be big players at the MLB Trade Deadline and plan to go after Miami Marlins slugger, Giancarlo Stanton.
The Mets are expected to give up two of their top prospects, starting pitcher Zach Wheeler and catcher Travis d’Arnaud, in order to attain Stanton.
Stanton would be the final piece in the Marlins fire-sale of their 2012 roster. At 23-years old, the Marlins management has been hesitant of giving away their big bat.
At such a young age, it seems Stanton’s price tag should be extremely high. Stanton had a career year in 2012, hitting .290 with 37 home runs and a .608 slugging percentage. The All-Star will surely brings lots of trade competition for the Mets.
Even though Wheeler and d’Arnaud are both top ten rated prospects by MLB.com (d’Arnaud at #6 and Wheeler at #8), the Mets GM has no significant attachment to them because he traded for the prospects. A Mets official told the Daily News that they would do the trade, “In a heartbeat. Nothing against those kids, but it’s Giancarlo.”
There has been no word yet if trade discussions between the two teams have ensued, only that the Mets plan to be big buyers at the trade deadline. They are rumored to be after any premier outfielder available, including: Carlos Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Chase Headley, Alfonso Soriano, Josh Willingham and Carl Crawford.
With the Marlins on a serious rebuilding mission, it almost seems unnatural for them to try and hold onto Stanton. Acquiring a small crop of top prospects should be in the best interest of the franchise. Wheeler and d’Arnaud fit the bill, however, they could demand slightly more for him.
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