Cardinals/Marlins Offseason Dance - Stanton Says Nope

[Socnorb11]

I guess another question worth asking is........... if he doesn't really want to be in St. Louis, do we really want him? I mean, the obvious answer is "yes" because he's the bat we need, but I'd prefer guys that WANT to be here.

[MinorLeagueGuy]

I guess another question worth asking is........... if he doesn't really want to be in St. Louis, do we really want him? I mean, the obvious answer is "yes" because he's the bat we need, but I'd prefer guys that WANT to be here.

He better not have a pitty party.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I guess another question worth asking is........... if he doesn't really want to be in St. Louis, do we really want him? I mean, the obvious answer is "yes" because he's the bat we need, but I'd prefer guys that WANT to be here.

I'll take the obvious answer here. I'll take a 6-win guy who's lukewarm on the Cardinals over a 2-win guy that's over the moon to be here.

[jagtrader]

This is the first time I’ve thought the Cardinals getting Stanton is realistic.

[dmarx114]

Someone remind Stanton he can go to the Dodgers in 3 years after he opts out.

[haltz]

I guess another question worth asking is........... if he doesn't really want to be in St. Louis, do we really want him? I mean, the obvious answer is "yes" because he's the bat we need, but I'd prefer guys that WANT to be here.

He would still have to waive his NTC from a place that he's familiar with and presumably has a home etc because he wants to be on a team that has a chance to win. That's enough for me.

[Magneto2.0]

I guess another question worth asking is........... if he doesn't really want to be in St. Louis, do we really want him? I mean, the obvious answer is "yes" because he's the bat we need, but I'd prefer guys that WANT to be here.

I'll take the obvious answer here. I'll take a 6-win guy who's lukewarm on the Cardinals over a 2-win guy that's over the moon to be here.

+++

These guys are professionals being paid millions so I don’t think who they want to play for matters when it comes to effort and performance

[Farewell Friends]

I've been 60 percent on Stanton happening. Foolishly going up to 65 percent, assuming San Francisco doesn't offer to take every bad contract on Miami's books. And I just don't see how the Dodgers could absorb that steep of a luxury tax.

[Swirls]

I've been 60 percent on Stanton happening. Foolishly going up to 65 percent, assuming San Francisco doesn't offer to take every bad contract on Miami's books. And I just don't see how the Dodgers could absorb that steep of a luxury tax.

It would really only be a hit for one year, as after 2018 Crawford and Gonzalez are off the books. They could send Puig and some other stuff to Miami in return to offset a portion of Stanton's 2018 salary.

[Fat Strat]

Pretty optimistic today. Not saying its going down today, as it probably won't for another week, but it really looks like we're in a strong position right now. Unless another team swoops in, the Marlins appear set to do what they need to do and essentially pressure Stanton to make a decision he might not otherwise make. It seems like Miami wants to deal with StL. It seems like Boston has backed out and San Fran's offer isn't as good as ours... that's a good place for us to be. It's on Stanton now.

Secondly, I think we can read more into Goold's article about the Cardinals possibly taking a trip to visit Stanton than it appears. I wonder -- don't know -- if he wrote it because he knows the Cards have scheduled a (or are currently) meeting with Stanton to make their pitch, but he was unable to get the permission or sources necessary to confirm that it was actually going to happen. Cards don't want a meeting leaked, but Goold would likely get wind of it happening. Thus... the timing of the article.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about Stanton's attitude or "pouting" as others wrote above. I'm guessing, but I imagine that Stanton's attitude is not anti-St Louis. It's probably not that he really doesn't want to be here. It's that he really wants to be in his hometown. When that option is eliminated, he'll be disappointed, but he'll likely also be ready and excited to play for us. All of the good things about StL will suddenly matter to him -- fans, playing environment, ST in Miami, winning potential -- when he can no longer dream about beaches and movie stars or whatever it is he likes about LA.