KC Royals fans should hope Cardinals do not land Giancarlo Stanton

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

While that team on the other side of I-70 certainly isn’t a low-budget franchise, it has shied away from making a similar deal before.

After the Texas Rangers bullpen choked away a World Series title in 2011, the feathered fiends had a decision to make on current Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols. They let Pujols walk.

It’s possible that St. Louis could decide that, given his injury history and the possibility of spending almost $300 million on a player that will be on the wrong side of 30 for the majority of that contract, Stanton isn’t worth what Miami would want in return.

There is a slight possibility that acquiring Stanton would ultimately harm the Redbirds in the long-term.

A possible return suggested by Phil Rogers on ESPN’s “MLB Hot Stove” show last Friday included right-handed pitchers Alex Reyes and Sandy Alcantra, shortstop Aledmys Díaz and right fielder Randal Grichuk.

Additionally, Stanton has the option to veto any trade, and it’s unknown whether he is apt to accept such a deal. Even if the two teams agree to terms, Stanton could become a hero should he decide he would rather play elsewhere.

There is a slight possibility that acquiring Stanton would ultimately harm the Redbirds in the long-term, as the financial commitment would handicap the team from spending those dollars more wisely elsewhere. The players sent to Miami could turn out to be more of a value over the long haul.

Even if the trade is won in the long-term by Miami, it’s very likely that Stanton would improve the Cardinals in the short-term, and that should be sufficient to make any/every Royals fan despise the possibility of this going down based on a simple premise.