Record $320 Million Giancarlo Stanton Offer Would Be Difficult to Walk Away From

Much like a towering Giancarlo Stanton home run, it's a number that boggles the mind: $320 million. That's apparently how much cash the Miami Marlins are willing to throw at their star right fielder, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. 

If consummated, the deal would make Stanton the richest player in baseball, eclipsing the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, who inked a 10-year, $292 million pact in March.

The Marlins' reported offer to Stanton is for 12 years, according to Rosenthal's sources.

"We're having continual dialogue," Miami general manager Dan Jennings told Rosenthal. "I wouldn't say we're close to anything."

Seems like a no-brainer for Stanton. Who would reject an opportunity to become the highest-paid player in his sport?

Remember, though: The relationship between the 25-year-old slugger and the only big league club he's ever played for has had its ups and downs. In 2012, after the Marlins made a salary-dumping trade with the Toronto Blue Jays (dealing shortstop Jose Reyes, staff ace Josh Johnson, starter Mark Buehrle, infielder Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck for seven much cheaper players), Stanton took to Twitter—and he didn't mince words:

This year, the Fish won 77 games. That was a 15-game improvement over 2013. Still, if Stanton's bottom line is winning and competing for a championship, he'd probably be better off elsewhere. Now, though, with this colossal bundle of Benjamins on the table, it's difficult, if not impossible, to imagine him walking away.

Stanton has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he hits the open market. And the Marlins have no interest in trading him, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

If he signs this contract, Stanton would be agreeing to stay in Florida through his age-36 season. He'd basically be a Marlin for life. That's a huge decision, and no one but Stanton knows for sure where his heart lies. But again: $320 million. That's nearly double the gross domestic product of the Republic of Kiribati, if you want a little perspective.

And think about it this way: Stanton's beef is with the Marlins' commitment to winning, right? Well, what stronger sign that the front office is prepared to do what it takes than a record-breaking offer to one of the game's most exciting talents?

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

In a way, the offer itself is proof that Miami may be headed in a new direction. But that's assuming this is all legit, which is no guarantee, as NBC Sports' Craig Calcaterra notes:

"

There is no comment from Stanton’s people. They’re probably trying to wrap their brains around this. Whether it’s in the form of an actual offer or if this is just stuff leaked to the press in order to create the perception that Stanton is the intractable one if a deal is not reached. Which, yes, is cynical of me to say, but the Marlins have created a situation over the years to where their motivations aren’t entitled to immediate deference.

"

OK, now for the question we haven't even touched: If the Marlins' $320 million offer is on the table, is Stanton worth it? The answer's not simple—it never is with that kind of dough at stake—but if we use Cabrera as a comparison, the answer sure seems like "heck yes."

When the Tigers tacked an eight-year extension onto Cabrera's contract and elevated it to highest-in-baseball status, Miggy was five years older than Stanton is now.

Yes, Cabrera was coming off back-to-back MVPs and a Triple Crown. Stanton hasn't attained that success yet, but his ceiling is as high as the majestic bombs he routinely launches—a National League-leading 37 of them this year, a head-turning total in the post-power era.

So it's a logical marriage, a win-win. The thought of anyone thumbing his nose at an offer of that magnitude...well, let's just say it would also boggle the mind.