The Miami Marlins may be preparing for a new era, but a financial obligation inherited from a previous ownership group will remain on the books for two more seasons. And it's all due to a deal from nearly a decade ago.

Nearly nine years after trading star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees, Miami still owes the player several million dollars in payments... which almost spits in the face of their current blueprint. They've chosen to use young players and spend wisely, yet they still somehow pay a huge chunk of money to a big name on an even bigger team.

It breaks down like this: the Fish agreed to pick up the check for $30 million of Stanton's contract when they traded the reigning National League MVP to New York in December 2017. The Yankees have (obviously) assumed the majority of the payroll obligations, but Miami still retains a smaller financial responsibility as part of the agreement.

That obligation is scheduled to be paid in $10 million installments during the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. With this year's payment in the books, another $20 million remains to be paid over the next two years.

The arrangement is a reminder that decisions made under previous ownership can continue to influence a franchise long after the players involved have moved on. Stanton's departure was part of Miami's broader effort to reduce payroll and reshape its roster following the change in ownership led by Bruce Sherman.

Nearly ten years after a deal meant to free up financial flexibility, the franchise still pays for it. The upcoming collective bargaining agreement leaves the official treatment of these final payments unclear, but the financial commitment itself remains firmly intact.

How baseball's next labor agreement treats those final installments remains uncertain. The Marlins can count them toward their 'salary floor' total, which fulfills some of their obligations under a new working contract. The obligation itself, however, is not going away... no matter where the cash gets marked on the ledger.

MLB Insider Jeff Passan wrote back in May 2026 that the union and league remain divided over the economic structure of the next agreement. He laid out the likelihood of the salary cap-floor scenario, but it remains unclear how 'dead money like the Fish's former slugger would factor in.

That distinction could become increasingly relevant as the Marlins evaluate how to allocate resources between long-term extensions and their collection of prospects.

At the same time, that remaining contract or the new collective bargaining agreement will not dominate or detour Peter Bendix's player-acquisition strategy. However, as the front office weighs how to spend on veteran talent, contract extensions, and prospect development, this accounting dynamic could gain added importance.

While the deal has seemingly hamstrung the organization, the good news (for the optimists) is that Stanton will come off the books right around the time this young Miami squad is expected to be a contender. Once the Fish are free, they won't have to be underwater on a contract like this again.