MLB trade rumors: Giants expect Giancarlo Stanton decision by end of week

Will the NL MVP go to the Bay Area or will he hold out for another team?

The Giants believe they will receive a decision from Marlins star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton “by the end of the week,” according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

This news comes shortly after Giants general manager Bobby Evans told KNBR radio that the team has agreed to terms with the Marlins on a deal for the reigning National League MVP. The terms have not been disclosed.

Pavlovic says the situation can “change as it goes” and that the Giants believe the Dodgers are their “biggest threat” when it comes to acquiring Stanton, even though the Cardinals had also worked out a general framework for a deal with Miami.

Stanton has final say on any possible deal, as he has a full no-trade clause in his massive 13-year, $325 million contract that he signed back in 2014. The slugger, who hit an MLB-best 59 home runs with 132 RBI this past season, has 10 years left on the deal and is owed $295 million.

Because of this clause, there is reason to believe Stanton may hold out and wait for the Dodgers to make an offer. Stanton has priority list of clubs he would like to play for and his “preferred destination” has been the Dodgers, according to multiple reports. But, the Dodgers have concerns about being way over the luxury tax threshold (are roughly $50 million over it). In addition, they are loaded in the outfield and they prefer not to do long-term deals like the one Stanton has.