MLB trade rumors: Did Phillies nearly land Giancarlo Stanton before Yankees deal?

All those Giancarlo Stanton to the Phillies trade rumors did have some validity after all.

Remember all those trade rumors connecting Giancarlo Stanton to the Phillies last year?

As it turns out, there was (almost) fire to go along with the smoke.

When the Miami Marlins began fielding calls for Stanton last offseason, the Phillies used financial clout to nearly swing a deal. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Philadelphia offered to take on a big chunk of Stanton’s deal while giving up lesser prospects than the Cardinals and Giants.

An executive who knows the inner workings of the organization saw that item and reminded me the Phillies “wanted Giancarlo Stanton badly” in the offseason. The Phillies talked to the Marlins and offered to pay more of the $295 million left on Stanton’s deal, but give a lower grade of prospects than the Cardinals and Giants (who had deals in place that were rejected through Stanton’s no-trade clause) or the Yankees, who offset $52 million with Miami eating $30 million and taking the $22 million left on Starlin Castro’s deal.

When Stanton refused to accept a deals to the Giants or Cardinals, any hope the Phillies had went out the window. Eventually, the reigning NL MVP presented the Marlins with only four places he would leave Miami for: Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs or Astros. 

The Yankees came out on top, adding one of the most powerful bats in the sport.

Machado pros, cons

But the Phillies’ interest was real, and just adds fuel to the fire when discussing a major investment for either Bryce Harper or Manny Machado next winter.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.