The Miami Marlins have had internal talks about Alex Rodriguez, but at this point there isn’t any evidence they will try to sign him.
If they do consider it, it would almost surely have to come after rosters expand Sept. 1. But it is probably a long shot, in any case.
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson also confirmed the talks, adding that an A-Rod signing wasn’t likely, but it shouldn’t be ruled out.
MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro added a little more insight, noting that Justin Bour’s health would determine whether or not the team made a push for Rodriguez.
The 28-year old Bour has played in just 68 games this season, hitting .268/.347/.526 with 15 home runs. He hasn’t played since July 2nd while dealing with a sprained ankle, and he hasn’t played on a rehab assignment with AAA New Orleans since August 3rd.
I won’t lie – I really want to see Rodriguez with the Marlins, just for the freak show factor of it all. Miami really could use Rodriguez if Bour is going to miss even more time. Their primary first baseman with Bour out has been veteran Chris Johnson, hitting .227/.283/.330 with four homers this season.
Rodriguez has slashed .203/.251/.355 with nine homers this year, but he hasn’t played an inning in the field this season and has played just 260 1/3 defensive innings since 2012 – only 9 2/3 of which were at first base. His farewell week with the Yankees has been a disaster, mainly because of Joe Girardi’s claims of not caring about his departure, and if he signed with another team following his release just to spite his former manager and former team, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Imagine this scenario: Alex Rodriguez, at Marlins Park, with Ichiro and Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez, making a playoff push. That’s can’t miss television, and while it would probably turn the Marlins into more of a freak show than they want down the stretch, isn’t that The Marlins Way?
[Today’s Knuckleball]
