Could Another Marlins Outfielder Be a Better Fit for Giants?

ORLANDO - The Giants had a trade in place for Giancarlo Stanton a couple weeks ago, so clearly the Marlins have found players in their system that they would like to deal for. But that doesn't seem to be helping the front office now that Marcell Ozuna seems readily available. 

Ozuna is one of several outfielders the Giants have checked on in recent weeks in a bid to add athleticism and power to their lineup, but they don't have high hopes. General manager Bobby Evans said the bigger field for Ozuna's services "really negates anything" the Giants agreed to during the Stanton talks, and added that proposals went back to "square one."

Per sources familiar with the earlier discussions, the Marlins - looking to offload about $250 million of Stanton's deal - agreed to take back two prospects and a big league player with a salary the Giants needed to move to stay under or near the luxury tax line. It's believed that big leaguer was Denard Span, and the prospects were not in the top five on the Giants' list. 

But Ozuna would cost the Giants prospects that are much higher on their list, and if this deal comes down to prospects, the Giants will be outgunned. For that reason, the St. Louis Cardinals were the lobby favorites to land Ozuna at the winter meetings. 

Ozuna hit 37 homers and won a Gold Glove last season, so he fills every outfield need the Giants have. Christian Yelich would fill those needs too, but he's not known to be available. It's also unclear if Billy Hamilton truly is. The Giants checked in on Hamilton this week but there's little traction in talks with the Reds, who would have to be overwhelmed to trade a popular player. The Giants have also spoken to the Brewers about their young outfielders, and there might be a better chance with that NL Central club, but nothing was imminent as of Tuesday. 

As for players who are already on the roster, Evans said the staff is confident that Austin Slater's 2017 debut was no fluke. Slater will enter camp with a shot to win a fourth/fifth outfielder job, and perhaps more. The Giants believe he can handle all three outfield spots, but he seems ticketed for mostly right field work. 

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