Giancarlo Stanton: Right-fielder receives historic $325 million contract; Deal backloaded so Marlins can surround him with talent

By Robert Christie - 18 Nov '14 23:42PM

All-Star right fielder Giancarlo Stanton has agreed to a 13-year, $325 million deal with the Miami Marlins, per the team's website. Stanton is coming off a monster season in which he finished second in MVP voting after hitting .288 with 37 homers and 105 RBIs in just 145 games. This is the biggest contract in terms of monetary value in the history of professional sports.

"This is a landmark day," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said per MLB.com. "I'm happy for the city. I'm happy for him. And I'm thrilled for baseball. We have a player who is committed to us, and we've committed to him for the life of his career."

There was speculation that Stanton wouldn't stay with the Marlins due to statements the 24-year old outfielder made during the season. Speaking to a Yahoo! Sports reporter, Stanton said that "five months doesn't make up for five years."

Stanton appeared to have been fed up with the Marlins organization. Their front office has been known to trade away talent and make other questionable personnel decisions. This signing could prove to be the first step in the Marlins efforts to turn their franchise around.

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The team currently has a wealth of young talent, highlighted by their burgeoning outfield. In addition to Stanton (who won this year's silver slugger award and has two all-star appearances), the team has 22-year old Christian Yelich in left field (.284, nine homers, 54 RBIs in 2014) and 24-year old Marcell Ozuna in center field (.269, 23 homers, 85 RBIs in 2014). The Marlins also have dynamic starter Jose Fernandez who is believed by some to have the best stuff baseball. Unfortunately for the team, Fernandez will miss the beginning of the 2015 due to the Tommy John's surgery he underwent earlier this year.

Per ESPN, Stanton's contract should help the Marlins to keep some of their other young talent around. While the deal is for $325 million, Stanton will not receive a majority of that --$218 million - until the last seven years of his deal.

This appears to be a win-win-win for everyone. The Marlins have given Stanton an incentive to stay longer. Due to his contract, Staton knows the team has money in the near future to both keep and add talent. Finally, fans are getting the chance to see Marlins brass is serious about taking this team to the next level.