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Giancarlo Stanton rips Marlins after losing series to 'worst team in the league'
Giancarlo Stanton is not a happy camper. The star outfielder vented his frustrations over the Miami Marlins recent play following a 10-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, which dropped them to 1-5 following the All-Star break and 11 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East.
“If you can’t win a series against the worst team in the league; there’s not much going for you, right there,” Stanton told MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro after the game.
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Even after winning two of three in Miami, the Phillies hold the league’s worst record at 32-61. They’re not likely to be much of a spoiler for teams that are truly contenders, which is why Miami absolutely had to win if there were any hopes of turning it around before the July 31 trade deadline.
To Stanton’s credit he did everything he could to help Miami right the ship. He finished the three-game series with four home runs, but received very little help as the Marlins wrapped up a listless home stand.
Losing two of three to baseball’s worst team was enough to push Stanton to his breaking point, but there’s no doubt these feelings have been stewing for awhile. It’s only natural when you consider the team has disappointed, and as a result Stanton’s name and several of his teammates names have been floated around in trade rumors.
As is always the case in Miami, it seems they are on the verge of a fire sale, and with the team itself set to be sold there’s not a lot of certainty for anyone currently involved in the organization.
For Stanton in particular, this could be a key time in his career. He’s currently signed to a 13-year, $325 million contract, but he holds a lot of power over where his career will go in the next few years. He holds a full no-trade clause, and also has an opt-out following the 2020 season. If he’s not liking what he’s seeing on the field or hearing from the organization, this might be the first clear indication he’s reached the point where he’s ready to move on.
Stanton’s comments alone won’t increase the likelihood of a trade. But they add another layer to a story that was already worth watching before July 31.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
