How the San Francisco Giants Lost Giancarlo Stanton; How They Could Have Landed Him

Now that the news is official that Giancarlo Stanton will not waive his no-trade clause to accept a trade to the San Francisco Giants, we look at why and how it could have been avoided.

There is a very obvious reason to me why Stanton did not accept a trade to the Giants. It has nothing to do with the city, the franchise, the fans, or the fact he would rather play for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Plain and simple, Stanton wants to play for a winner, and he doesn’t view the Giants as a team ready to win.

Who can blame him after the 2017 season in which the Giants finished last in the National League West and won just 98 games.

The team is littered with aging players in the lineup, and not enough young talent to replace them.

Golden State Warriors fans should be very familiar with how this works. Stanton wants to take the path of a Kevin Durant and join a team that’s already championship worthy.

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That’s why it sounds like he’s willing to accept a trade to the Yankees. They were one game away from going to the World Series this year, and they have a lot of young talent that should help them compete for years to come.

There is still a way I think the Giants could have landed Stanton, but it would have taken a lot of work, and a lot less time worrying about Stanton.

Had the Giants began the offseason aggressively trying to get rid of bad contracts, while bringing in talent, I think it would have swayed Stanton to consider a trade to the Giants.

As it is, the Giants have yet to make a single upgrade to a team that lost 98 games. Everyone is simply hoping players who under performed last year will be better next year.

If the Giants had been aggressive in making upgrades at third base and in the outfield to prove to Stanton they’re willing to do what it takes to win now and going forward, then maybe it’s a different story today.

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I honestly just think Stanton was looking to go to a team that is on the rise, and he does not view San Francisco as one of those teams. And really, you can’t blame him for seeing things that way right now.