Giancarlo Stanton In Boston? Former Executive Shares Trade Deadline Story

Trade deadline season is officially upon us. While it may seem hectic as a fan, it’s even more chaotic inside a front office.

Deals happen at all hours of the day as general managers work under the pressure of the clock. Modern technology limits some of the chaos by providing more visibility with other teams. Years ago, that wasn’t the case.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN talked to several executives and heard their best stories from previous trade deadlines. They range from taking calls at funerals to owners nixing deals at the last minute.

Former Boston Red Sox executive Jed Hoyer shared a few stories from his time with the Red Sox. He explained that in 2008, when the Red Sox traded Manny Ramirez, things almost went a different direction.

“It looked like it was never going to get done. It was a last-second three-team deal. That was the most confusing one because there were so many cooks in the kitchen. At one point, the Marlins were involved with a young [Giancarlo] Stanton,” Hoyer told ESPN.

The Red Sox ended up acquiring Jason Bay from the Pittsburgh Pirates and sending Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bay was a solid player for the Red Sox. He hit 36 home runs in 2009, his only full season in Boston. Who knows what would have happened if the Red Sox acquired Stanton? The slugger was just 19 years old at the time and was yet to debut in the major leagues.

Stanton has done a lot of damage in Fenway Park in his career. Had he joined the Red Sox as a rookie, he might have worn out the Green Monster with his power from the right side.