AP File Photo: Giancarlo Stanton just might sign on with the San Francisco Giants but as of late is leaning towards the Los Angeles Dodgers

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–The National League MVP Marlins Giancarlo Stanton is from Southern California, the Marlins want to unload his $295 million remaining in his contract and so far the San Francisco Giants and St Louis Cardinals have shown interest in the slugger. This week both teams representatives have met with Marlins reprsentatives trying to convince Stanton to come aboard. In the case of the Giants they have shown the most interest. It is very unusual for a team seeking a specific player to send their top brass to meet and try to convince a player why he should “come along” and that is what the Giants did, as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Brian Sabean, General Manager Bobby Evans and Manager Bruce Bochy traveled to Stanton’s land, Los Angeles trying to lure him to wear the Orange and Black.

2017 was a monster season for Giancarlo, 59 home runs and 132 runs batted in. AT&T Park is not a home run park, but with this guy, he could hit it out of SFO International airport. During  batting practice with the Marlins, prior to a game at AT&T, he hit the Coke botle in left center field, yes, it is batting practice, but not everybody could do that.

No secret why Giants are strongly pursuing the 2017 NL MVP who led baseball with 59 home runs and 132 runs batted in. In 2016 111 players in baseball hit 20 or more home runs, the Giants have none. This past season there were 108 players who hit 20 or more home runs, the Giants again, had none. This 2017 season a new home run record was established in Major League Baseball with 6,105 total. The Giants did not contribute much to that total,they were the last #30 among all teams in both leagues with 128 home runs. Before you said, home runs do not win games, which is true, the fact is baseball today is much more about home runs than ever before. In case we already all forgot the World Champion Houston Astros led all of baseball with 234 home runs.

It looks like the Giants might be dangling $250 million on Stanton’s remaining $295 million contract,plus offering second baseman Joe Panik and two of their top prospects. In return it is said the Giants would get Stanton and second baseman Dee Gordon. The Giants need more than Stanton to be a serious contender in 2018 after finishing last this past season. Third base is still an unknown (I love Pablo Sandoval but still have many doubts how much he has left) The Giants are still short of another major league established outfielder, even if they get Stanton.

The National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be the favorites again to win the NL West, but this division is now stronger with Arizona and Colorado, specially, looking to 2018 for at least a wild card berth. Actually it would be scary if Stanton signs with the Dodgers and you insert him in that lineup with Bellinger and company…wow.

Giancarlo Stanton was born in Panorama City, went to school in Sherman Oaks, he was a Dodger fan as a young kid and obviously his preference is to play with the Dodgers, who will be favorites again. The St Louis Cardinals are looking for that great slugger since the days of Albert Pujols, now with the Angels, and in my book St Louis is the best baseball town in America. The Giants do not have time to re-build, not with over 3 millions costumers paying each year to go to AT&T Park, and in the Bay Area the best promotion is keep winning, if you want the best example, take a look at the football SF 49ers today.

The Dodgers is where Giancarlo Stanton prefers to play, but do not be surprised if he is wearing Orange and Black in 2018.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com