Report: Marlins 'encouraged' as 7 teams have shown interest in Stanton

Day One of Major League Baseball's general manager's meetings appears to have gone well for the front office of this winter's most popular trade target.

The Miami Marlins are reportedly "encouraged" about early meetings with prospective teams as they try to find a trade partner for slugger Giancarlo Stanton, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

It was reported earlier Monday that the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants have the most "intense interest" in Stanton, while Heyman's sources tell him that at least seven teams have shown some level of interest in the reigning MLB home-run leader. The Boston Red Sox were among the teams believed to have interest, though they now may be more focused on free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez.

Stanton is owed close to $300 million over the next 10 seasons, and further complicating any potential deal is the slugger's possession of a full no-trade clause. One former front-office executive told Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald that "Giancarlo's running the show" because of it, but the Marlins acknowledge they have an idea of where Stanton would approve to go.

"I do have a sense, and we'll keep that internal, and at the appropriate time we'll discuss whatever we need to discuss," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill told Spencer.

Stanton is coming off a career year that could land him his first National League MVP award. The 28-year-old hit .281/.376/.631 with 59 home runs, 32 doubles, and 132 RBIs in 159 games.