If you've watched the media long enough, you know how easily well-meaning prognosticating gets turned into "rumor".
It's a product of our fast-repeating web media. An article which says that Player A "should be of interest" to Team B gets turned into something that sounds more real by the first blog or fantasy service that repeats it.
So, let's be clear. We're not doing that here. There's nothing tangible tying Giancarlo Stanton to the Reds. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
But we expect it's just a matter of time before this buzz gets louder.
See, the Miami Marlins, once more in fire sale mode, have a valuable asset: Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The outfielder is hitting just .227 with three home runs this year, but in the past two years has belted 71 homers and finished with a .290 average last season.
Yahoo's Robb Hoff has drawn a line between Stanton and the Cincinnati Reds, claiming that acquiring the slugger would "put the Reds over the top" and make them an "unstoppable force".
Among the suitors most likely will be the Cincinnati Reds, who are a right-handed power bat away from being a truly unstoppable force for the next three years. Currently, the Reds have to settle for their left field platoon situation (where Stanton would convert should the Reds trade for him). Injuries to starting left fielder Ryan Ludwick and his backup Chris Heisey have provided the Reds with the opportunity to audition Donald Lutz, a left-handed hitting slugger who is agile enough to play above-average left field even though he is more likely destined to become a big league first baseman. Lutz would be a big part of the package that the Reds would send to Miami.
The article then goes on to discuss a number of other players that Reds would have to package up for Stanton, including Lutz and Henry Rodriguez.
What do you think? Would you want to part with a number of young prospects to get a right-handed power bat in the outfield?
