How Long Will Giancarlo Stanton Hit Homers in Miami?

Baseball’s hottest player is on a team that isn’t going anywhere this fall. Last night Giancarlo Stanton homered in his sixth straight game, a team record. It was his 11th homer in his last 12 games, and his 23rd in his last 35. He has 44 on the season, and also leads the league in slugging percentage (.646). He’s on pace for 60 home runs.

Unfortunately for Stanton, the Marlins are four games below .500—they lost to the Giants last night—and 8.5 back in the Wild Card and so Stanton is performing his feats for the team that draws the third-fewest fans.

And so now the question is: Will he stay in Miami?

Yahoo Sports reported that Stanton, who is 27, cleared revocable waivers this month, meaning the Marlins can trade him to any team before the August 31 deadline. In that report, Jeff Passan wrote that four teams were interested in Stanton at the non-waiver trade deadline in July, despite the 10 years and $295 million remaining on Stanton’s contract.

Why would the Marlins even consider trading their best player? The Miami Herald reports the team is expected to lose $60 million this season; the $115 million payroll at the start of the year was the highest in franchise history. The Marlins already have $95 million committed to just eight players next season.

Marlins President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill said in July the team wasn’t looking to trade Stanton (or any of its other young players.) But who knows? The right offer could come by, especially with Jeffrey Loria planning to sell the team.

In the meantime, he’ll keep slugging in South Florida.