I've read in multiple places that the groups that were interested in buying the Marlins didn't want any long term debt (contracts) so that's why Dee Gordon was available and AJ Ramos was traded. Trading Stanton would have really helped increase the value of the franchise (as backwards as that sounds). As for trade value, I would guess he wouldn't bring back as much as you'd think. This is the first year he's been healthy a whole season in a while, and the majority of his season's have included lots of games missed due to injury. He's being paid at least $25M a year (up to $32M) for the next 10 years. Now, I understand $25M a year in 5 years could very well be the going rate for an above average hitting free agent but after all the injuries and general decline I can't imagine a 35 year old Stanton would be worth anywhere near the $32M he'd be getting paid at that age. Any team acquiring him would be getting a great player but also a lot of risk and potential money down the drain. He's got an opt out after 2020 so if you're trading for him your hoping you get 3 great, healthy seasons out of him and then he opts out. If he has 3 more years like this year, I think it's a guarantee he does. If he becomes a 100 games a year, .900 OPS player you may be stuck with that contract. I guess that would basically make him Braun, but we're not paying Ryan almost $30M a year for the next 8 years.