5 Giancarlo Stanton Trade Scenarios the Miami Marlins Couldn't Pass Up

If any of these five teams can swing a trade for Stanton, they immediately become instant contenders in 2013. 

Even though the Miami Marlins are claiming to have no interest in trading young slugger Giancarlo Stanton, there are five teams with the ammo to change Jeffrey Loria's mind in an instant. 

Isn't that all it took to finally make the decision to trade Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson to the Toronto Blue Jays?

The always-embarrassing Miami Marlins front office can now turn their focus onto trading their disgruntled superstar for a bunch of top prospects, expiring contracts, new stadium or whatever it is they want to do. 

"

Alright, I'm pissed off!!! Plain & Simple

— Giancarlo Stanton (@Giancarlo818) November 13, 2012"

Not the way you want your best player to feel about your team. And to be honest, he had every right to feel that way. But I digress. 

Back to actual baseball transactions, there are five teams that have the ability and guts to pull off a trade for this once-in-a-generation talent. 

And no, you won't be seeing the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers on this list. They've got money—seemingly unlimited amounts of it in the Dodgers' case—but none of them have the star talent in their minor league system to have a chance. 

Texas Rangers

Assets: Mike Olt, Jurickson Profar, Elvis Andrus, Alexi Ogando, Ian Kinsler 

The Texas Rangers not only hold the most desirable pieces on the trade market, but they also have the most incentive. 

After back-to-back World Series appearances, they flamed out at the end of last season. 

With Josh Hamilton probably leaving (speculation), they will need to fill that void with a slugger of his stature. 

It just so happens that their top prospect, Jurickson Profar, is in a bit of a logjam. 

The reason Profar, Andrus and Kinsler are all on the list is because they may all be expendable. By trading one, the Rangers can simply shift the other one over to their position and cover that spot. 

If they can pair one of the three and a pitcher like Ogando or Matt Harrison, they may have a chance to make the trade.

Mike Olt is also a top-20 prospect in the majors that the Rangers can pair with Andrus. 

By repairing their rotation and top of the lineup with star potential players, the Marlins won't be able to say no. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Assets: Trevor Bauer, Justin Upton, Tyler Skaggs 

There is a slight chance that the Diamondbacks will look to trade Justin Upton this offseason. 

By trading a massive talent in Upton, they'll need to get someone of his caliber. 

Giancarlo Stanton more than passes that test.

"

 

While Justin Upton's name makes the rounds as trade candidate, sources say #dbacks will also listen on pitcher Trevor Bauer

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 7, 2012

"

There there is also that. Bauer was a top prospect last year, evoking comparisons to the San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum. 

However, when Bauer was called up, he struggled mightily and there was talk he wasn't adjusting the way the team wanted him to.

Two potential studs for the price of one absolute stud. Both teams can win here.  

Pittsburgh Pirates

Assets: Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Alen Hanson, Gregory Polanco 

A deep sleeper here, but the Pirates own one of the top farm systems in all of baseball. 

With top pitchers Taillon, Cole and up-and-coming hitters Hanson and Polanco, the Pirates have the raw talent to match. 

If the Marlins were to do this trade, they would have to take the media backlash because of the lack of proven product here. 

The Pirates may be willing to part with two or three of their top prospects, because pairing Stanton with Andrew McCutchen will terrify NL pitchers for the next decade. 

The Pirates were contending last year before their pitching fell off, so they may not be as inclined to part with their future aces, but the combination in the outfield may be too much to pass up. 

Tampa Bay Rays

Assets: Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson 

The Tampa Bay Rays will most likely lose B.J. Upton this offseason (hey, another Upton on the move!) and will look to fill his void in an already middling lineup. 

With its recent success in evaluating and developing pitchers, they may be inclined to trade away a couple rotation studs for offense. 

Matt Moore has Cy Young potential, and Hellickson can easily be the second-best pitcher in any rotation. 

Keith Law of ESPN.com ranked the Tampa Bay Rays as having the second-best farm system in all of baseball. Three of their own top 10 are in the top 100 MLB prospects. And five of top 10 are pitchers. 

Not to mention that they'll still have David Price, Jeff Niemann, James Shields and Wade Davis to rely on. 

Tossing Stanton into a lineup with Desmond Jennings and Evan Longoria (maybe he can stay healthy for once) would be formidable for AL East opponents. 

Kansas City Royals

Assets: Wil Myers, Alex Gordon, Mike Montgomery 

The Royals are in the market for a star pitcher and willing to trade their top prospect to do so. 

However, they may find it a bit easier to have a taker for a star hitter instead. 

Montgomery had a down 2012, but he still has the potential to be a No. 2 starter in the majors. 

The centerpiece of the trade here is Wil Myers, whom the Royals may have trouble fitting into their lineup. 

Alex Gordon also helps fill an outfield spot for the Marlins after a breakout 2011 and slower 2012. 

With its lockdown bullpen and superb lineup—assuming Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas keep growing into stars—the Royals would just be a pitcher or two away in a weak AL Central.