Could Giancarlo Stanton have been a Boston Red Sox player? According to former Red Sox executive Jed Hoyer, the answer is almost yes! In a recent ESPN article, Hoyer revealed that the Red Sox were in talks to acquire a young Giancarlo Stanton back in 2008 as part of a complex three-team trade involving Manny Ramirez.
The Manny Ramirez Trade Chaos
The Red Sox were looking to trade a disgruntled Manny Ramirez. Hoyer described the situation as "the most confusing" trade he experienced in Boston due to the number of teams and players involved. At one point, the Miami Marlins, with a young Giancarlo Stanton, were part of the equation.
Ultimately, the Red Sox traded Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers, acquiring Jason Bay from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh received prospects in the deal. Stanton remained with the Marlins until he was traded to the New York Yankees after the 2017 season.
What Could Have Been?
Imagine a young Giancarlo Stanton launching home runs over the Green Monster at Fenway Park! At the time, Stanton was a promising 19-year-old prospect yet to make his MLB debut. While Jason Bay was a solid player for the Red Sox, hitting 36 home runs in 2009, the potential impact of a young Stanton in Boston is tantalizing to consider.
- The deal nearly happened during the frantic trade deadline of 2008.
- Manny Ramirez's contract dispute fueled the trade talks.
- The Marlins and a young Giancarlo Stanton were briefly involved.
This near-trade serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the countless "what if" scenarios that shape the sport's history. How different would Red Sox history be if Stanton had donned the Boston uniform?