Thanksgiving won't hinder Stanton trade talks

MIAMI -- The Marlins remain active in trade talks regarding National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton, and while nothing is considered "imminent," that is subject to change heading into Thanksgiving weekend.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported on Tuesday that the Marlins and Giants have had "deeper discussions" on Stanton, with a handful of other teams, including the Cardinals, still considered in the mix.
How quickly the Stanton sweepstakes play out will determine the Marlins' direction leading into the Winter Meetings in December.
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Although Stanton can veto any proposal because of his full no-trade clause, it is considered highly doubtful the All-Star right fielder will return to the Marlins. The four-time All-Star is set to make $25 million in 2018, and he has $295 million left on the remaining 10 years of his contract.

If progress continues in trade talks, they'd likely continue throughout Thanksgiving or the weekend.
At the General Managers Meetings last week in Orlando, Fla., Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill noted trades tend to take on their own course. Even if it means working on a holiday.
In 2005, the Marlins spent Thanksgiving finalizing not one, but two, major trades before most families in South Florida had time to enjoy their pumpkin pies.
It started with Carlos Delgado being traded to the Mets for Mike Jacobs, Yusmeiro Petit and Grant Psomas, which served as the appetizer for the big trade that followed. Before the night was over, the Marlins dealt Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota to the Red Sox for Hanley Ramirez, Aníbal Sánchez, Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia.
After finishing 77-85 this year, the Marlins are redirecting, and not looking to increase payroll. Since Stanton has made it clear he'd rather not be part of a rebuild in Miami, the club is entertaining offers. Now, momentum appears to be building to get a deal done.
Throughout the process, Hill has kept Stanton apprised of the teams in the mix.
The Giants are coming off a last-place season, going 64-98, but the organization has had a history of winning and is showing no signs that it wants to rebuild. The Giants also made it clear they are looking for a power bat, and Stanton is coming off his best season, pacing the Majors in home runs with 59 and RBIs with 132.

A native of Sherman Oaks, Calif., Stanton's preference is believed to be playing on the West Coast.
Along with the Giants, the Cardinals appear to be the most interested in Stanton, who has not publicly ruled out a move to St. Louis.
Under new ownership, led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter, the Marlins are aiming to build a sturdy organization that has depth from top to bottom. As presently constructed, they have a strong core of position players, but not enough pitching or players in the Minor League system to seriously contend.
"I'd say we're open to everything at this point," Hill said at the GM Meetings. "I think some of the trades may dictate what that looks like, what shape or form it looks like. We know it needs to get better."
"For us, it's just our overall goal of how we want to build things. That's why [the GM Meetings] were such an informative session. You get information, and you get a clear pathway of what you want to do. This is not an overnight process."