Crucial point in Stanton pursuit?

Giants officials are in Los Angeles to meet with Giancarlo Stanton’s agents, according to reports that, if true, suggest the club’s pursuit of the National League Most Valuable Player might be coming to a head.

Several national reporters, including Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, confirmed the initial report by Florida-based radio reporter Craig Mish.

A meeting with Stanton’s agents, led by Joel Wolfe, suggests the Giants want to pitch their club to Stanton or learn whether the Miami Marlins right fielder would accept a trade to San Francisco, which his no-trade clause allows him to reject.

It also suggests that Stanton

has not given a blanket approval for a trade to San Francisco.

If the Giants learn that Stanton is dead set against a trade, or wants to hold out for a possible deal with his hometown Dodgers, the Giants can move on to other options for improving what was the majors’ least productive offense in 2017.

They have held concurrent talks with free agents and other teams about trades. They ostensibly are seeking outfielders, a third baseman and bullpen help.

A meeting also suggests the Giants and Marlins are at least close to a framework for a trade, in which the Giants would pay most or all of the $295 million remaining on Stanton’s contract, which runs through 2027. Stanton can opt out after the 2020 season. He turned 28 on Nov. 8. The Marlins, under a new ownership group headlined by Derek Jeter, want to slash payroll as they undertake a complete rebuild, which the Giants are not willing to do despite losing 98 games this year.

The Giants’ prospects of reversing course quickly and winning are undoubtedly part of their conversation with Stanton and his reps. Stanton declared this summer that he is tired of playing for a Marlins team that is constantly rebuilding, and that he wants to play for a contender.