From the Pirates’ perspective, the best thing is that Stanton is making only $537,000 this season, so he fits into their budget. Sure, he’ll get expensive starting next year when he first becomes arbitration-eligible, but that’s the thing about acquiring him: You get him for three more seasons after this one. This isn’t renting Zack Greinke for two months. And if Stanton gets too expensive for your tastes by 2016, you can always trade him then.

All the Pirates have to do is cough up ...