Staggering contract

MIAMI (AP) ― The Marlins are no longer pinching pennies, and Giancarlo Stanton won’t be, either.

Stanton agreed to terms with the team Monday on a $325 million, 13-year contract, Miami owner Jeffrey Loria said. It’s the most lucrative deal for an American athlete and averages $25 million per season, or $154,321 per game.

The deal includes a no-trade clause, and Stanton can opt out after six years, Loria said. A news conference was planned Wednesday.

“It’s a landmark moment for the franchise and Giancarlo, and it’s for the city and fans to rally around,” Loria said.

Any kind of multiyear deal is a big departure for the Marlins and Loria, whose frugal ways in the past alienated fans, angered the players’ union and made the franchise the butt of jokes.

Given such thriftiness, the Marlins’ generosity toward Stanton becomes even more stunning. His contract tops the $292 million, 10-year deal Miguel Cabrera agreed to with the Detroit Tigers in March. Alex Rodriguez signed the largest previous deal, a $275 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees before the 2008 season.

Stanton, who turned 25 on Nov. 8, is perhaps the game’s most feared slugger. He has 154 career homers despite playing home games in spacious Marlins Park.

“Giancarlo Stanton has come of age, and he’s going to be here a long time,” Loria said in a phone interview. “It’s wonderful to have a young man this caliber, integrity and ability, and I’m very happy.”

The Marlins right fielder and centerpiece wasn’t due to become eligible for free agency until after the 2016 season, and signing him to a long-term deal was considered a long shot. The Marlins haven’t reached the playoffs since 2003, and he was distrustful of the franchise’s direction.

Miami’s 2014 payroll of $52.3 million was the lowest in the majors. The last time they spent big was before the 2012 season, the first in their new ballpark. Then came a disastrous season and another salary purge, intensifying fan animosity toward Loria.

That sell-off and subsequent roster rebuilding set the stage for the Stanton deal, Loria said.

“Unfortunately people didn’t understand that two years ago, we had no choice,” the owner said. “I had to get to today.”

Loria said he doesn’t expect Stanton to opt out when he’s 31, and sees a positive side to the no-trade clause. 


Heyward heads to Cardinals

ATLANTA (AP) ― Jason Heyward stirred up enormous expectations when he joined the Atlanta Braves at age 20. He homered in his first big league at-bat. He was voted to the All-Star Game as a rookie. He was hailed as the future of the game by Hank Aaron.

Heyward never quite lived up to the hype, and now he’s heading to a team looking to bounce back from tragedy.

Concerned that Heyward would leave as a free agent after next season and rebuilding with an eye toward their new stadium, the Braves dealt their right fielder and reliever Jordan Walden to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday for promising pitcher Shelby Miller and a minor-leaguer. 


Jays, Martin agree to 5-year deal

TORONTO (AP) ― A person with knowledge of the deal says the Toronto Blue Jays and free agent catcher Russell Martin have agreed to a five-year, $82 million contract.

Martin took a physical Monday and the Blue Jays are expected to finalize the deal Tuesday, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet complete. Even though the deal was not yet finalized that didn’t stop Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman from tweeting out a message Monday afternoon welcoming Martin to the team. A three-time All-Star, Martin hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs last season.