The Miami Marlins have received several calls with regard to closer Steve Cishek over the last few days, and The Miami Herald cited a source who notes that the Marlins would risk angering Giancarlo Stanton if they decided to trade way their closer.
Giancarlo Stanton isn't afraid to speak his mind.
Miami's starting right fielder has been vocal about some of the trades the organization has made in the past, and the Marlins are in the process of trying to put a winning core around him in an attempt to keep him in South Florida.
Stanton was vocal following the fire sale trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, and wants to see the Marlins win. With the Marlins sitting eight and a half games out of first place in the National League East, the organization still feels the team can remain competitive.
The Marlins have yet to identify as buyers or sellers, but several reports over the last few days have indicated the team has received several calls with regard to the status of closer Steve Cishek. Citing a league source, The Miami Herlad noted trading Cishek would make keeping Stanton a Marlin an unrealistic goal.
Trading closer Steve Cishek, according to a major league source, might send the wrong message to Stanton, especially if the return is a haul of prospects, which is what the Padres received from the Angels in their trade for closer Huston Street a few days ago.
"I don't think there's much chance Stanton ends up staying (long-term) with the Marlins, anyway," the source said. "But if they do move Cishek, what's that telling him (Stanton)? If they traded Cishek, they could pretty much kiss him (Stanton) goodbye."
With Huston Street off the market, the interest in Cishek is consistently increasing. Miami would likely receive at least a pair of prospects for Cishek, who has saved 23 games while posting a 3.40 ERA and 2.03 FIP. Prospects wouldn't appease Stanton, who wants to ensure the Marlins have a stable future before moving forward.
Cishek is not eligible for free agency until 2018, and is an inexpensive option compared to the contracts of veterans such as Jonathan Papelbon. Miami would receive a decent return because of the number of years Cishek will remain under club control.
If the Marlins want to keep Stanton in Miami, every transaction made between now and the offseason, when the organization plans to begin extension talks, should at least take Stanton's perspective into consideration.
Miami has indirectly adopted such an approach to this point, noting that he and Casey McGehee are not on the block and the team will not make any quick moves until they have a better feel of where the squad is headed in 2014.
Before the All-Star break and the struggles that came immediately before and after it, the Marlins were looking to add to the roster. Miami is likely still looking for a second baseman and starting pitcher, but may be inclined to sell a few pieces too.
If Stanton doesn't have a desire to remain in Miami, which he may not, then factoring his reaction into potential moves is unnecessary. But until the conversations begin, it would be in the Marlins' best interest to please one of the best young players in the game.