Meet the prospects the Marlins will receive in Giancarlo Stanton trade
The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins have reportedly agreed to a blockbuster deal that will send reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton to New York. The trade is still pending Stanton’s approval and a physical, which could delay it from becoming official for another day or two.
Nonetheless, it’s reported all of the other major details in the trade have been agreed to. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, that includes the Yankees willingness to absorb $265 million of the $295 million still owed to Stanton between now and 2027. We also know that former All-Star Starlin Castro is going to Miami, though it’s anyone’s guess if the shortstop-turned-second baseman will actually play a game for them.
In the background behind all of this are a pair of prospects — pitcher Jorge Guzman and infielder Jose Devers — that will be also heading to Miami. Typically, when a player of Stanton’s caliber is traded, who those prospects are comes into sharper focus. Here though, they’ve essentially become afterthoughts.
We hate to categorize them as such. Their lives are impacted by this deal as much as anyone’s, but the Derek Jeter-led Marlins weren’t looking for a big prospect haul here. The goal was financial relief, and for the most part that’s been achieved. Still, we don’t want these young prospects to go overlooked.
The Marlins didn’t get a big name, but Guzman did rank as the No. 9 prospect in the Yankees system. The 21-year-old right-hander isn’t that advanced yet, posting a 5-3 record and 2.30 ERA in 13 starts at Low-A Staten Island. That would indicate he’s at least one full season, and perhaps two away from reaching the big leagues. Still, scouts have seen enough upside to rate him well.
Keep in mind, one of Jeter’s first hires in Miami was Gary Denbo. He’s had a key role in the Yankees minor league system dating to 2009, and was even in charge of the system over the last four years. He would be able to identify which Yankees prospects have sneaky upside better than anyone, and Guzman is clearly one of those prospects.
At this point, Jose Devers is probably better known for who he’s related to. The 18-year-old middle infielder is the cousin of Red Sox breakout star Rafael Devers. He hit .245/.336/.342 in 216 plate appearances at rookie ball, splitting his time between the Gulf Coast League and Dominican Summer League. Obviously, Jose’s development still has a ways to go, but Denbo and the Marlins might see a little of Rafael in his game. The “older” Devers reached the majors at age 20.
Again, it’s not a thrilling return by any stretch. Especially when you consider the reigning National League MVP is the centerpiece. But if one or both can develop into a contributor for the Marlins, it could be a saving grace within an otherwise disastrous scenario for Derek Jeter.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Yahoo Sports Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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