Chicago Cubs included in Giancarlo Stanton’s preferred trade destinations

Chicago Cubs: Is Theo ready to pay up $30 million annually?

Of course, the motivation for dealing a man who narrowly missed the 60-homer plateau last season rests in unloading payroll. A lot of payroll.

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Stanton is owed right around $300 million through the 2028 season. The deal does include an opt-out after 2020, which further complicates trade talks. There’s no guarantee that, after you trade some high-level talent to Miami, that you get more than a few years of Stanton in the heart of your order.

But let’s assume you had assurances he’d stay. You’re looking at control over a guy into his late-30s. And you’re shelling out anywhere between $25 to $32 million annually. For most teams, that’s a huge chunk of payroll. Even for a team like the Chicago Cubs, it’s nothing to turn your nose up at.

Irresponsible fiscal logic

Chicago will pay Jason Heyward $28 million in 2018 and another $27.5 million to Jon Lester. Veteran Ben Zobrist eats up another $16 million on the books. Adding Stanton to the mix pushes you to just under $100 million on a mere four players – three of whom are coming off ‘down’ years. Stanton, of course, represents the outlier to that statement.

With the Cubs’ young core growing increasingly expensive in years to come, adding someone like Stanton may force Theo Epstein’s hand into some unsavory decisions. He brings a lot to the table, but he may cost you more than you can stomach.