Aug 4, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Marlins Park. The Indians won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins had no intentions to trade Giancarlo Stanton before last Wednesday’s trade deadline, and just because they didn’t, it doesn’t mean a teams did not try their hardest to acquire the slugging right fielders services.

A team source revealed to Marlin Maniac that the Pittsburgh Pirates made the Marlins a strong offer for Stanton’s services, that had the Marlins front office contemplating pulling off a Stanton trade. This is consistent with the report from Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review from last week:

The Pirates made repeated attempts to work a deal for Stanton and, according to another source, made an offer that caught the attention of Miami’s front office. However, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria does not want to shed the team’s lone superstar.

The source told Marlin Maniac that the Pirates offered the Marlins a compelling offer, which included both cost-controlled major league players and a top pitching prospect. The Pirates offered the Marlins rookie pitcher Gerrit Cole, outfielder Starling Marte, and prospects James Taillon and Stetson Allie for Stanton, Steve Cishek, and Justin Ruggiano.

This rumor contradicts what Clark Spencer reported on Twitter shortly after the deadline and the package makes a lot more sense than the package Page Q reported a few days ago.

The Pirates caught the eye of the Marlins front office enough with an offer that they seriously entertained the offer and brought it to owner Jeffery Loria. Loria had already decided from before that he was not interested in trading Stanton before he has a chance to offer Stanton an extension to be a Marlin for the long haul.

According to the team source, the Marlins plan on offering Stanton a contract extension of 8-years worth approximately $140 million after the season. If Stanton declines the deal, the Marlins will then try to trade Stanton.

The package is obviously a hefty one, with the Marlins also sending out Cishek and Ruggiano to join Stanton in Pittsburgh. Both teams would have given up a lot, with the Pirates set on trying to win in 2013 and the Marlins building for a perennial winner a few seasons down the road.

We will take a look at the players and prospects that the Marlins would have gotten in return if the team were to accept such a package later today, but for now, let us know what you think. Was this a deal that you would have bit on for Stanton or would you have wanted more in return for Stanton and the team’s closer.

Vote on the poll below and leave a comment with your thoughts.

Is the Pirates package for Stanton+Cishek enough? Yes, the Pirates are giving fair value in return.

No, Stanton and Cishek together should bring in more value View Results