After Stanton deal, Marlins to explore options

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Winter Meetings traditionally are where big deals take place, but the Marlins made their biggest splash leading into MLB's showcase offseason event.
On Monday, Miami finalized a blockbuster deal sending reigning National League Most Valuable Player Award winner Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees for Starlin Castro and two prospects.

Moving Stanton, and the vast majority of the $295 million on his contract, was the Marlins' main offseason objective. But it wasn't the only significant trade the club has done in recent days. On Thursday, second baseman Dee Gordon was traded to the Mariners for three prospects -- right-handers Nick Neidert and Robert Dugger and infielder Christopher Torres.
As part of the Stanton trade, the Marlins are receiving right-hander Jorge Guzman and infielder Jose Devers, the cousin of the Red Sox's Rafael Devers. The Yankees are on the hook for $265 million of the remaining $295 million on Stanton's contract.
Parting with Stanton and Gordon were two of Miami's top priorities, and they were accomplished before the annual Meetings. The Marlins are under new ownership, with Derek Jeter now the chief executive officer, and following a 77-85 season, sweeping changes are being made.
The organization was dealt a devastating blow with the tragic death of José Fernández in 2016, and it lacked pitching and overall depth in '17.

Gordon, who paced the Majors with 60 steals in 2017, summed up the state of the Marlins during a conference call with the Seattle reporters. Asked if he expected to be traded, Gordon said: "Yeah. Just bad things happened over there with the death of our good friend, Jose. Honestly, there's kind of no way to rebound from that other than starting over. It was built on Giancarlo and Jose, and we lost the focal point for our pitching, a guy we knew was going to give us a chance to win every day. In the Major Leagues, it's pretty tough to win that way."

With all 30 teams gathered together, the Marlins are expected to explore trade options for All-Star left fielder Marcell Ozuna and relievers Brad Ziegler and Junichi Tazawa.
The Winter Meetings will run until Thursday, wrapping up with the Rule 5 Draft. Marlins manager Don Mattingly will meet with the media on Wednesday, and MLB.com and Marlins.com will have complete coverage.
At this point of the Hot Stove season, all clubs have a general idea of each other's needs.
"Everyone, hopefully, has a clear path of what they want to get accomplished," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "It's always easier when we're all together."