While there has been seemingly very little movement in the Giancarlo Stanton trade talks, some hints have been offered as to how things are progressing.

We know that both St. Louis and San Francisco have made formal offers to the Marlins for the slugger's services. And Monday a MLB.com report surfaced that said Stanton -- who holds full no-trade protection in his contract -- has told Miami which landing spots would be his preferences, with his hometown Dodgers residing on the list of approved clubs.

Now comes word from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that the Red Sox are one of three teams -- joining the Giants and Cardinals -- who are believed to be "engaged" in talks for Stanton.

Writes Rosenthal: "The Marlins, sources said, are engaged with three clubs, believed to be the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. Three other unidentified clubs are on the periphery, capable of entering the mix. Those clubs, however, risk losing out if they do not turn more aggressive, sources said—and it’s not out of the question that Stanton’s appeal might persuade one or more of them to jump in."

What does this mean?

One way to look at it is that if the Red Sox are continuing to pursue Stanton in some form or fashion that would suggest the slugger has shown at least some semblance of interest in coming to Boston. If he didn't then why would the Marlins waste Dave Dombrowski's time? The same goes for both St. Louis and San Francisco, neither of which were seen as locks to get approval from the outfielder.

The Marlins were taking the approach of fielding interest from all clubs before diving into the weeds of Stanton's desires. But, again, why would the conversations continue if there was any suggestion that Stanton would veto a potential trade?

Another interesting note in Rosenthal's piece is the notion that teams might look at Stanton's right to opt-out after the 2020 season as a benefit, not a negative. If the 28-year-old does choose to take the free agent route after three seasons, the team acquiring him this offseason would be saving $208 million.

What isn't clear is what it will take to get Stanton, with multiple general managers telling WEEI.com at the recent GM meetings the belief was that if a club was willing to take on the majority of what is left on the outfielder's contract (10 years, $295 million), an overwhelming package of talent wouldn't have to be included. This might be the Red Sox' best bet considering the lack of high-end minor-leaguers left in their farm system. (To read more about that, click here.)

While you are waiting for more news about a possible Stanton trade, MLB.com gives us an idea of how the slugger's swing might translate to Fenway Park:

BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Well, this was an interesting turn.

While everyone was wondering why Giancarlo Stanton didn't put the Red Sox on his list of preferred teams to land with, it appears the point was moot. Speaking at the MLB winter meetings, Stanton's agent, Joel Wolfe, said that Boston never showed interest in acquiring the outfielder.

"Boston was never presented to us as an option," Wolfe said after his client was introduced as the newest New York Yankee. "To my knowledge, Boston never had any interest in him. Not that they don't love him as a player, but they never tried to make a deal with the Marlins."

When asked if he was surprised the Red Sox didn't make a play for Stanton, Wolfe said he wasn't, citing the trio of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi.

Also of note was Wolfe's assertion that the Red Sox told him they were heading in another direction this offseason in regards to what was being pursued.

"We were told at the GM meetings they were looking for pitching and other areas," said Wolfe, who added, "It just didn't look like it was going to be a priority. They were prioritizing pitching."

BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Two hours after Giancarlo Stanton's agent, Joel Wolfe, said the Red Sox never showed any interest in his client, while also suggesting Dave Dombrowski said his team was prioritizing pitching, the Sox' president of baseball operations told a different story.

Meeting with the local media at the MLB winter meetings Monday, Dombrowski explained the timeline as to the conversations he had with the Marlins regarding Stanton, starting with talks held at the GM meetings in mid-November.

"The early asks for him were not things that we were interested in," he said. "And then as time went on at the end, there were no conversations based upon … he was traded. I had a pulse, they had a deal done with St. Louis, they had a deal done with San Francisco. At that point, when I reached out, they were in the midst of dealing with the Yankees at that point, but no, we never told them we were prioritizing pitching overall."

Dombrowski noted that his most recent conversation with Marlins GM Michael Hill came last week, "but he was in the midst of the Yankee deal at that point."

The Red Sox' president later added, "We were not on  his immediate list (of preferred teams to be dealt to). We called at the end. We were not on his list. So they were going somewhere else. Yeah, we did all our homework on Stanton. I had a long conversation – in fact, some of you guys saw me talking to Mike Hill during the General Managers’ meetings standing out there. I had a long conversation. I knew exactly where everything was, what they were looking for, dollars that were involved. It’s just not where we were at that particular time. And you have to remember that the guys they got from St. Louis or San Francisco at those particular times might have been a little better than what they ended up getting in their own minds. And then they switched off and at that point, he had given them the four clubs that he would go to and we weren’t one of the four."

As for the assertion made by Wolfe that the Red Sox had suggested pitching, not finding a bat, was their priority this offseason, Dombrowski flatly refuted the idea.

"No, and I never said that to him. I might have said we were looking at relief pitching. But no, I never said … we’re not prioritizing pitching," he noted. "I think that their basic conversations with us, they looked at our outfield and thought they probably weren’t a fit with our ballclub, which, based on that, we’re looking for a middle of the order bat. That hasn’t changed. First base or DH."

Dombrowski did say that the completion of the Stanton deal with the Yankees, which was announced at the Dolphin Hotel and Resort Monday, didn't alter the Sox' plans.

"I woke up Saturday morning with little rumors Friday night, it didn’t like make my day that he went to the Yankees by any means," he said. "He’s a heck of a player. I don’t think it can change what we do because we’re already trying to be the best club we possibly can. When you’re in a club like we are in our position, you’re in a spot where you’re not only trying to beat the clubs in your own division, but the best club in the league and the best club overall. We’re already trying to do that. I don’t think it changes what we’re trying to do. It’s just some things that we’re trying to accomplish. I’m in a spot where we’ve used the Golden State name back and forth. They’ve got a heck of a club, but we’ve got a good club too. There’s quite a few months before the season starts and I think our club will continue to try to get better. But it doesn’t really change it in the sense that we’re already trying to get better and do the best we possibly can. They already had a good club and I know he makes them better."

Dombrowski also shot down a report from earlier Monday that the Red Sox were shopping Jackie Bradley Jr.

"I don't know where those rumors started, but they're not accurate," he said. "I can say we have interest in our players and people have asked about our players, often. But I would say we're very happy with our outfield. Could we do anything? I can't say we can't do anything with any of our players. But we like our outfield."

Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire. 

WEDNESDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NBA: Miami at Boston, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSB)
NBA: LA Lakers at Houston, 8 p.m. (NBATV)
NBA: Memphis at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. (NBATV)
NHL: Detroit at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

AROUND THE WEB:

-- David Ortiz is set to star in an upcoming reality show in which he tries out different professions in search of a job after baseball.

The retired Red Sox legend landed the lead role in “Big Papi Needs a Job,” a 10-part unscripted series to air on Fusion beginning Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.

Tune in January 31st at 8pm for #BigPapionFUSION! Check your local listings here: https://t.co/H6atXgA3oV. @davidortiz@fusiontv@MatadorContentpic.twitter.com/HmPeaZ2FIB

— Big Papi Productions (@bigpapiprod) December 19, 2017

The show will follow Ortiz as he tries his hand at different professions, such as dog groomer, manicurist, musician and stadium tour guide.

"Ever since I was a kid I've never been known for sitting still — after 20 years on the field, I’m ready for something new,” Ortiz said in a statement. “I’ve always been about trying new things, and this series is all about that. I’ve been meeting new people and having a lot of fun. I can’t wait for fans to come along for the ride.”​

-- Derek Jeter and the Marlins held a town hall meeting for season ticket holders on Tuesday and from what reporters were tweeting from the event, it was wild.

Jeter took questions from angry fans, including the well-known Marlins Man (real name Laurence Leavy), took the mic to state some of his demands.

"SAY MY NAME" -Walter White/Marlins Man https://t.co/YnnOLT57N2

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) December 20, 2017

Marlins Man on a roll.  Asking for Marlins Man Monday’s and throwing out a first pitch.  This is me now... pic.twitter.com/GkVENN1byA

— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 20, 2017

"This makes me miss Loria" Marlins Man said. "Who would have thought THAT!"... Jeter enters to mild, polite applause https://t.co/vSpQMXOjqk

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 19, 2017

“Marlins Man just gave long speech. Jeter says he will let him throw out first pitch but will not drive in Marlins-mobile with him” -- Barry Jackson

“First fan: "I encourage you to give out free tickets for every game. If you give free tickets out you will get souvenir money food money, that will fix the problem."

Jeter response: "alright you've got it all figured out giving away free tickets is the solution."(sarcastically),” Aram Leighton tweeted.

“Marlins fan now crying at podium asking why didn't add pitching and keep top offensive players. Jeter asks what pitchers could have signed?” Jackson tweeted.

“Jeter telling the fan who was crying that he appreciates her passion.  Says it wants it to happen and turnaround as soon as possible for her and all fans,” Will Manso tweeted.

“I can’t sit here and say trust me,” Jeter told the crowd. “You don’t know me. You earn trust over time. I know how organizations are sustainable over time. I know you have been through a lot. I can’t relate to it. It’s going to be a tough road. It’s going to take time and effort.”

“This is an organization that is losing a significant amount of money,” he continued. “We didn’t buy this team to continue losing money or more importantly, losing games. More of the same is not the answer.”　

Jeter and his ownership group bought the team in August and the former Yankee has received backlash for some of his moves in the past few months.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:"And in that moment as I’m thinking in my head, ‘Do I spike it? Do I not?’ I went with, and I probably wish I would have listened to my gut now obviously in hindsight, I should have listened to that instead of listening to running a play and I just tried to make a play to Eli [Rogers>. I don’t regret it, I just wish I would had made a better throw. I’ll take the blame for the interception at the end of the game.” -- Ben Roethlisberger, on the interception he threw in the final seconds of the Steelers’ loss to the Patriots on Sunday

Here's the Red Sox lineup vs. the Marlins in Miami, with lefty Brian Johnson opposing righty Trevor Richards:

Mookie Betts RF
Andrew Benintendi LF
Hanley Ramirez 1B
Rafael Devers 3B
Xander Bogaerts SS
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Christian Vazquez C
Brian Johnson LHP

The Red Sox have won three straight after dropping the season-opener in Tampa Bay.

MIAMI -- We knew Alex Cora the player. We knew Alex Cora the spring training manager. But we didn't know Alex Cora the manager until the last six games.

What we also didn't know was what Cora's team might look (and feel) like.

Now we have a much better idea.

The Red Sox are hitting their home opener with the organization's best start since 2006, improving to 5-1 after a 4-2, 13-inning win over Miami at Marlins Park Tuesday night. That is about as good as Cora's club could hope for, even if the wins came against two teams some might consider closer to the International League than American or National League. (For a complete recap, click here.)

But the real takeaway was what we can now make of this collection of Red Sox. Cora said himself after the latest win, this is a team that has plenty of room for improvement. At the same time, it is fairly obvious there are plenty of signs to suggest they can compete with the likes of the Yankees while eclipsing the 93 wins of the past two seasons.

What is most interesting about the vibe emanating from the Red Sox as they jetted home late Tuesday night was what it all meant. This stretch of games should be remembered as more of a foundation than finished product. That was evident throughout Cora weaving his way through his first two series as a big league manager.

Taking starters out early. Going right back to relievers after bad outings. Choosing to not warm up relievers during dicey times, erring on the side of unnecessary up-downs. Building up the confidence of Hanley Ramirez. Making it clear to all corners of the starting nine that some sort of rest was coming their way.

And all along the way he was making no apologies for any of it.

The feeling you get walking through the clubhouse is that this is a much more confident bunch than a year ago. There is no trace of a longing for David Ortiz. The likes of Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts aren't walking on the eggshells of years past. And when Cora walks through the clubhouse there isn't a hint of anxiety.

While the starting rotation has been historically good in not giving up more than a single run in any of its first six starts, their most impressive feat has been setting the tone for themselves. Cora has been asked multiple times if the group's success has been a surprise and his consistent answer has been, "No, it's what we expected."

Confident Cora clearly hasn't been a bad thing. Realistic Cora has also been important.

These Red Sox are still getting thrown out on the bases at key times all over the place. "It’s in their DNA," the manager said after getting two more men thrown out at home, Tuesday night. "It is. It’s hard. I don’t want to take away their aggressiveness. But we have to get better and they know it."

They are still searching a bit when it comes to legitimate second-in-line relievers after Matt Barnes suffered his first hiccup, sending the series finale to extra innings by allowing an 11th-inning run. 

The Red Sox are still trying to find a consistent offensive groove, residing in the middle of the pack in almost every statistic, including the much-talked-about percentage of times the first pitch has been offered at. 

And, oh my goodness, we almost forgot: J.D. Martinez still doesn't have a home run. (The guess is that such a feat isn't far away, much like a game in which Giancarlo Stanton doesn't strike out five times.)

This was all just the initial introduction. So far, overall it's been a positive first impression.

Want to get an idea about what teams are asking for when it comes to acquiring late-inning relievers? Soak in a report from MLB.com's John Morosi.

Morosi tweeted Tuesday afternoon: "In preliminary #RedSox-#Marlins trade talks, source says Miami indicated that Michael Chavis or Jay Groome alone would not be sufficient to acquire setup man Drew Steckenrider. That is one snapshot of the market value for controllable relievers."

This is basically saying that a team did not want to trade a set-up man for either of arguably the top two Red Sox prospects.

Steckenrider is a valuable commodity. In his second big league season the 27-year-old righty has a 3.48 ERA and .228 batting average against in 48 appearances. Right-handed hitters are managing just a .217 batting average against him with only two extra-base hits.

Groome is not pitching this season, having undergone Tommy John surgery earlier this year, while Chavis is just returning to action after his suspension. The corner infielder has played in just 10 minor league games, going 3-for-20 (.150) in five games with Double-A Portland.

More Red Sox content

- Former Red Sox first-rounder Tanner Houck finally starting to get attention

- Inside the mind of trade deadine Dombrowski

This is what it's come to. Red Sox fans losing sleep over Ryan Brasier's left foot.

How did we get to this point, where the ailment of a guy who was dropped out of the Japanese minor leagues is viewed with so much importance? Well, Tuesday night should have clarified that reality.

The two remaining perceived bits of comfort in the Red Sox' bullpen -- Matt Barnes and Craig Kimbrel -- allowed the worst-hitting team (OPS-wise) in the majors to mount comebacks in both the eighth and ninth innings before Alex Cora's club finally walked-off the Marlins for an 8-7 win. And while the that Miami five-run eighth was unfurling against Barnes and Heath Hembree all eyes were locked onto the host's bullpen.

Where was Brasier? Why wasn't he warming up?

Think about that. This guy who was placed in the middle of spring training with no guarantees of even making a minor league club had become the savior ... the certainty.

"He was out there throwing today and his left foot was bothering him so he was out," Cora said after his team's 91st win. "Hopefully he’ll be back — I mean he felt it today so hopefully he’ll be available tomorrow. Nothing serious but not good today. Not to use him today."

Since Brasier's debut on July 9 in Texas, he has always been viewed as a luxury. Now he is undoubtedly a necessity. And, no offense to the pitcher who just turned 31 years old three days ago, that isn't an ideal situation for what is supposed to be the best team in baseball.

(For Brasier's complete story, listen to the reliever on the Bradfo Sho podcast by clicking here.)

Brasier's production has been unquestioned, allowing just two runs in his 20 innings, holding opponents to a .393 OPS and .141 batting average against. But this is a pitcher who describes his life's biggest pitching moment as the sixth-inning strikeout of Baltimore's Trey Mancini with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning of the Red Sox' Aug. 12 game at Camden Yards.

"As far as pressure, with a team that is doing what we're doing, that was probably the most pressure," he explained.

Sure, there was that start in a high school tournament game he was pulled after giving up three runs in two innings in order to be saved for another game that would never come. And, of course, the final few outs notched in securing a no-hitter for Double-A Arkansas on a night the group "The Baja Men" performed their smash hit "Who Let the Dogs Out?" But the kind of pressure the Red Sox are now banking on him stepping in and out of? That is all foreign for Brasier.

It is what it is for the Red Sox and Braiser right now.

Dave Dombrowski banked on the arms he had to figure it out, and maybe they will. Joe Kelly has offered some optimism of late, having not allowed a run in his last six outings after a flawless inning Tuesday night. Steven Wright in on the verge of helping, throwing two scoreless frames for Triple-A Pawtucket. Perhaps Nathan Eovaldi or Eduardo Rodriguez can morph into valued relieving roles as September moves along.

Some roster expansion also figures to help let some of those who are struggling draw back a bit, while perhaps getting a look-see at someone like Travis Lakins.

And things can turn. After the game, Barnes talked about his usual struggles in August and subsequent turnarounds in September.

"I really don’t feel tired at all," he said. "I think Dana (LeVangie) and AC (Alex Cora) have done a great job of managing the bullpen all year and making sure that we were fresh for this push in August and September and into the postseason. Umm, you know I don’t know. Because I’ve always seemed to bounce back in September. September’s always been a good month for me. I don’t know why August. Like I said, I’ll sit down and we’ll crunch numbers tomorrow. We’re going to find a reason why and I’m going to find a reason why and I’m going to change it. You know it’s frustrating, you kind of put all the work in and then you know you go through stretches and struggles and you hurt the team. And at this point in the season when we’re in a close race, making a push to maintain that lead, you just got to be better."

But the Red Sox need to find some sort of consistent, late-inning reliability, the likes of which has escaped the bullpen for months now. And that's why all eyes have turned to Brasier's foot. It's come to that.

"I’m not concerned," Cora said. "I think we need to get better. I think walks are getting up there now. A lot of 3-1 counts, a lot of two-strike hits. That’s not good. They know it. That’s something we’ve been talking about and we trust the stuff but at the end, we have to execute. For whatever we are in the standings, whatever we, we have a lot of margin to improve which is very important. We don’t get caught up on the whole 91 wins. We know we have to be better. We know that and we keep working at it."

Just when it looked like the Red Sox' starting rotation was edging closer to normalcy it may have taken another hit.

With two outs in the third inning, David Price was struck in the left wrist while trying to defend himself from a 102.6 mph line-drive off the bat of Austin Dean. Price recovered in time to get the out at first base. The team classified the injury as a left wrist contusion.

Hector Velazquez came on to replace Price to begin the fourth inning. 

Prior to leaving the game, the Red Sox starter allowed three runs on five hits, including a solo home run off the bat of Derek Dietrich.

I would have curled up in a ball and started crying so shoutout Price for finishing the play here pic.twitter.com/oPyCAGSKaM

— Sox Lunch (@Soxlunch) August 29, 2018

To follow all the action from the series finale betwen the Red Sox and Marlins, click here.

The most encouraging moment of the 11-run seventh that blew open Wednesday's 14-6 victory over the Marlins occurred in the Red Sox dugout.

As Boston piled up 12 hits while sending 15 men to the plate, left-hander David Price emerged from the clubhouse and pounded the railing in glee. He smiled and flashed the hang-10 sign at teammates rounding the bases.

He limited his displays of exuberance to his right hand, because his left arm sported a brace, the result of a 102 mph line drive off the left wrist that had knocked him from the game in the third inning.

X-rays were negative and the team announced he'll undergo further tests. That information alone would've been cause for concern that the team's most effective starter could soon be joining ace Chris Sale on the sidelines -- perhaps indefinitely. But the sight of Price leading the cheers from the dugout suggested that whatever injury he suffered, it won't end his season.

And ultimately, that news matters a lot more than beating up on the woeful Marlins, who actually led 5-3 before the Red Sox exploded with an inning reminiscent of their 14-run first-inning outburst against Florida in a 25-8 victory 15 years ago.

"I think I'm going to be all right," Price told reporters. "I've been hit a couple of times this year. I think I'll be OK."

The importance of Price at this juncture cannot be overstated. With Sale's status uncertain despite the team's assurances that he'll be ready by late September, Price had stepped into the breach as the legitimate No. 1 starter the Red Sox signed for $217 million just three years ago.

He got off to a slow start on Wednesday, allowing five hits and three runs in three innings, but the Red Sox still won for the ninth straight time with Price on the mound. He entered the game 5-0 with a 2.05 ERA since surrendering five home runs to the Yankees on July 1.

"He's a big part of what we're trying to accomplish," manager Alex Cora told reporters. "The way he's been throwing the ball obviously it sucks to see that. We've been going through this the whole season. I know people don't talk about that and we don't care either. But we've been battling through it the whole season. Somebody has to step up, and they've done a good job."

The play itself could've caused a serious injury. Austin Dean, who'd later homer, drilled a comebacker at Price's head. The left-hander had just enough time to flash his arm in front of his face and the ball caught him on the outside of the wrist just below the thumb.

It ricocheted to first baseman Steve Pearce, and Price had the presence of mind to cover the bag for the final out of the inning before heading directly to the clubhouse.

"I knew it hit me flush and it caught bone, so I knew it was hit hard," Price said. "I knew it went to my left. . . . I put my hand up as a reaction so it didn't hit me in the face."

The Red Sox have reached the gut-check portion of their season and they're answering the call, though the competition has certainly helped. Their division lead sliced to six and their bullpen in tatters after losing six of eight, the Red Sox have rebounded with consecutive wins over the Marlins to boost their lead back to 7 1/2 games.

Though more issues remain than they'd care to address at this point in the season, at least it looks like Price dodged a bullet. Of all the people they can ill afford to lose entering the postseason, Price belongs near the top of the list.