This week, Giancarlo Stanton signed the biggest contract ever for any major athlete, with a 13 year $325 contract extension, that locks up the young phenom for the unforeseeable future. He is guaranteed at least 6 years, and has an option to leave the team if for some reason, he decides to. Stanton is coming off a season where he came in 2nd place in the MVP voting, after hitting 37 home runs last season. He also had a .555 slugging percentage, and displayed power that has not been seen from a younger generation player since Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera. What stands out about this deal is the fact that the total payroll for the Miami Marlins was $47.6 million dollars, which ranked 2nd worst in the majors, and then pay Stanton nearly half of their total payroll. That leaves half of the money to fill the roster, adjust lineup weaknesses, and resign other young free agents your team needs to win games.
Giancarlo no doubt displayed stardom in his first few seasons in the MLB, but to be given the highest paid American contract ever, that's hard to believe. He makes more money than other stars who played way better last season, and won more significant awards compared to Stanton. Clayton Kershaw has won back to back NL CY Young Awards and made it to the playoffs many times, has yet to see a contract even close to Stanton's because he allowed the franchise to have more flexibility to sign other above quality guys that can help the team win the World Series. Mike Trout, known for his all around play, is currently playing on a rookie contract. He has yet to see any big time money, even though he is now the face of the MLB, and has led players in nearly every statistical category.
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