Sizing up the Boston Red Sox competition for Giancarlo Stanton

Will Giancarlo Stanton become the next Boston Red Sox superstar to dominate Fenway Park?

It’s an open secret the Boston Red Sox need to add more power to their lineup for 2018 and beyond. To come in the form of Giancarlo Stanton depends not only on what the Sox can offer in trade, but other teams as well.

So far four teams have reportedly engaged the Miami Marlins in trade discussions centered on Stanton: the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Red Sox. Others may join the mix, but let’s focus on which of these four franchises might hold the most appeal.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cards stable of young pitching talent makes them the ideal trade partner for new Marlins CEO Derek Jeter. Six of the Cardinals’ Top 10 prospects, per Baseball America, are pitchers, including the #12 overall prospect in all of baseball, Alex Reyes.

Reyes is coming off Tommy John surgery. But given the success rate of the procedure, that won’t likely be a deterrent. His 100 MPH heater, 12-to-6 curveball and solid command suggest a potential future ace. And that makes him an intriguing centerpiece to a Stanton deal.

If Jeter is wary of Reyes health, Jack Flaherty, Sandy Alcantara and Luke Weaver are also highly regarded young arms. Adding a couple to their rotation would significantly brighten the Marlins outlook from the mound.

Given the Cardinals already have several quality outfielders, they’ll need to send one to Miami to complete an offer that might look like this:

Stanton, however, holds a full no-trade clause and may prefer a destination on the east or west coast. But if he wants to play for a contender and is open-minded about where, St. Louis may provide the Red Sox their toughest competition for Stanton’s services.