Report: Giants, Cardinals have 'most intense' interest in Stanton

A pair of National League clubs looking to rebound from disappointing seasons appear poised to slug it out in the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes this winter.

While the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox have expressed interest in the Miami Marlins slugger, it's the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants who reportedly have the "most intense" interest in landing Stanton, one source told Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com.

The Marlins' new ownership is poised to shed salary this winter, and dealing their highest-paid player in Stanton is the quickest way to achieve that. Despite a willingness to trade the four-time All-Star, Stanton possesses a full no-trade clause, and it has been reported that he isn't fascinated by the cities listed above for "different reasons."

Both the Giants and Cardinals struggled offensively in 2017, missing the postseason. San Francisco ranked dead last in the majors in homers, while St. Louis finished 18th. Stanton and his MLB-leading 59 dingers last season would definitely help alleviate those concerns.

Talks between the Marlins and other clubs are expected to heat up this week during the General Manager meetings in Florida.