MLB Free Agents 2015: Top 5 Reasons Why Miami Marlins Made Mistake With Giancarlo Stanton's Contract
Giancarlo Stanton is now set to become the richest athlete in North American sports history.
The 25-year-old slugger recently signed a 13-year contract extension with the Miami Marlins worth up to $325 million. Although Stanton is a great player, the Marlins appear to have lost their minds breaking the bank on Stanton.
Here are five reasons why the Marlins made a huge mistake:
5. It's Too Long
Not many athletes can say they played their entire career on one team. Clashes with management, wanting a change of scenery and so many other factors play a role in athletes switching teams. The money is one thing, but the length is just outrageous. The only way Stanton changes teams is if he opts out (not likely) of the contract or if the Marlins trade him, which is also unlikely. Putting all your eggs in one basket for such a long time appears to be a desperate move by the Marlins. When you sign a player to a contract that is 100 percent guaranteed for that long, it could backfire.
Stanton is scheduled to become a free agent in 2027.
4. Other Needs
It sounds cliché, but it really is true: Teams win championships, not players. The Marlins have not made the postseason since they were last known as the Florida Marlins, back in 2003, when they won their second franchise World Series. Overall, the Marlins have made the playoffs just once in the last 17 seasons. Last season the Marlins ranked 19th overall in team pitching. Surprisingly, the Marlins ranked just 16th overall in runs scored on offense. With so many other needs on the team, how can the Marlins ignore those issues?
3. Can He Perform in the Playoffs?
It's not Stanton's fault, but the Marlins haven't made the postseason even one time in his young career. Not only have the Marlins never made the playoffs with Stanton, but they've never even had a winning record with him. We all know Clayton Kershaw is the best regular season pitcher, but when the playoffs come around, Madison Bumgarner gives the San Francisco Giants a better win chance to win than Kershaw does with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We still don't know how good Stanton is in the postseason. Is he a clutch hitter? Or does he fall apart when the bright lights are on?
2. The Amount is Just Too Much
The New York Yankees are still paying Alex Rodriguez, and that enormous 10-year $275 million contract. As good as Rodriguez was and as much as the Yankees can afford, it has turned out to be a disaster in the long run. Even though Major League Baseball doesn't have a salary cap like other sports leagues, each and every team still has a certain amount they can spend, even the almighty Yankees. In 2014, the Marlins had the 29th highest payroll. Only the Houston Astros spent less money. With the second lowest payroll in the league and so many issues on defense, how can the Marlins expect to build depth on the roster and contend for a championship now?
1. Stanton is Great, Not All-Time Great
There's no denying Stanton is a terrific player. He almost won the National League Most Valuable Award, and he hits the longest home runs in all of baseball. The Rodriguez deal may have been a bad contract, but he did have three 50 home run seasons and eight 40 home run seasons. Stanton has never even hit 40 home runs in a single season. Stanton is also one of the most strikeout-prone batters in baseball, and his career batting average is just .271. Again, Stanton is a great player, but let's not put him in Cooperstown just yet.
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