Report: Stanton not expected to approve Cardinals trade

St. Louis Cardinals brass may be bracing themselves for some bad news.

Team officials reportedly traveled to Los Angeles on Friday to meet with representatives of Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton. The Cardinals, along with the San Francisco Giants, have been the most openly active in pursuing Stanton on the trade market, but it may be all for naught.

Despite the meeting, a source told FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman he still "didn't see any way" that Stanton would accept a trade to St. Louis, though he added he doesn't know for sure. Others suggested he'd be more likely to choose the Giants over the Cardinals.

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Stanton technically doesn't have to choose either, as he has a full no-trade clause in his massive contract.

His supposed reluctance to play for the Cardinals shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as it was reported in mid-November that he would refuse a trade to the Redbirds.