By Christian Bond, Guest Writer
The Miami Marlins have offered outfield slugger Giancarlo Stanton one of the biggest contracts in U.S. sport history: $325 million over 13 years.
The Marlins set Major League Baseball contract records in both length and amount of money given to a player.
Does Stanton deserve the money?
The last time we saw Stanton on the field, he was getting hit in the face with a 90 mile-an-hour fastball. The money is well deserved.
The two-time all-star is known for destroying baseballs.
Stanton made his debut in 2010. His career numbers include 619 hits, 154 home runs and a batting average of .271.
This past season was Stanton’s best. In 145 games, Stanton batted .288 with 37 home runs and 105 RBI.
All of Stanton’s past achievements prove that he is going to be a stud for a long time.
As baseball fans in the Northwest, we are no strangers to huge contracts.
Last offseason, the Seattle Mariners shocked the baseball world by signing 30-year-old second baseman Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240 million deal.
Cano was criticized for leaving New York, but was able to put up the numbers to live up to the contract.
Stanton’s new deal makes the Cano deal look like nothing.
By signing the 25-year-old for the next 13 years, the Marlins have committed to Stanton being the cornerstone of their franchise moving forward.
One of the biggest doubts regarding the contract is the length.
For that reason, the Marlins have given Stanton the option to get out of the contract in four years when he will be 29, to try and get another team to sign him for a long-term deal.
If Stanton does stay at the Marlins for his entire contract, he will be 37 when the 13 years are over.
The only real downside I see to the deal is that Stanton has to call Marlins Park, the ugliest ballpark in all of baseball and one that is worth less than his contract, his home.
In all sports, athletes are paid for their past performances.
Stanton’s four year MLB career shows a lot of promise in years to come.
The contract is record-breaking, but it also has holes in it to ensure that Stanton is satisfied with where he is at.
Whether Stanton opts out of his contract, or stays with the Marlins for the entirety, he will be a very wealthy baseball player.
