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Stanton Open To Staying If Marlins Improve

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Most Miami Marlins fans expect the team to trade All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton at some point over the next two seasons. But, Stanton is leaving the door open to signing a long-term contract with the Marlins.

"I want some team security as well," Stanton told MLB.com. "I'm very pleased with how things panned out for me. But I would like to see it grow. I have my security, somewhat now. I'd like to see a team full of that, which we are going in the right direction."

Stanton, along with second-year ace Jose Fernandez, are the faces of the Marlins franchise. The power hitting right fielder could become the star the Marlins have sought for years to develop and keep on the team long-term.

He struggled through an injury plagued season in 2013 and still managed 24 home runs and 62 RBIs. Since his Major League debut in 2010, he's hit 117 home runs and pounded out 294 RBI's, all before he turns 25.

Keeping Stanton in right field will give the Marlins one of the youngest and most talented outfields in Major League Baseball. Along with Stanton, the Marlins have Christian Yelich in left field and either Marcell Ozuna or Jake Marisnick in centerfield.

But Stanton knows that the Marlins have a history of putting together a contender and quickly tearing it down before high-priced contracts come due.

"In order for the team to have security, that doesn't happen in two seconds," he said. "That happens over a season or over two seasons. You show me that, and we can get something going."

It's possible the Marlins could get something going as early as the 2014 season. Along with the talent in the outfield, the Fish have one of the best young pitching staffs in all of Major League Baseball.

The staff is led by Fernandez, but also features Henderson Alvarez, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Jacob Turner, and Justin Nicolino. The Marlins also feature one of the better closers in the National League, Steve Cishek, along with new catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

If the Marlins can begin to put it together this season and next year, keeping Stanton might become a possibility Fish fans can get excited about.

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