That 20 home run power isn't rare anymore does not mean that 50 home run power isn't. Staton's power is still a massively valuable asset. And his contract isn't terrible. The acquiring team this winter would be looking at like 29M per year in AAV or so, which is market rate for a guy his age with his skillset. The injury concerns are significant, but he's not that much more of an injury risk than Harper, and any team considering getting into the bidding on him would have to be tempted to pre-empt that market by trading for Stanton first and getting to pay him 10M less in AAV for about the same length.Because he has a terrible contract and a history of injuries and power is no longer a particularly rare commodity, would be my guess.
If the White Sox traded for Stanton this winter, they'd probably be a year away. Let's assume they have to include Avisail Garcia to get a deal done. You're still looking at building the offense around Moncada, Abreu and Stanton with Eloy Jimenez on the way. And Giolito, Fulmer and Rodon is a great start for the rotation. They're not really that far away if they bring Stanton in, IMO. At the very least, they'd be a big spending spree in the 18/19 winter away from competing.The White Sox are no where close to being competitive imo. Lots of prospects theyve hoarded, but who knows how theyll turn out. Atlanta doesn't seem particularly close either.
Atlanta's lower minors might get decimated by the punishment for the IFA infractions, but Acuna isn't far off and won't be swept up in that mess, Allard, Sorka, Gohara, and Fried all pitched in AA or higher last year, and they've got Swanson, Albies, Freeman and Inciarte all established at the major league level and under control, and the rotation already has Teheran, Foltynewicz and Newcomb.
They're not far off at all.