Rumors: Alex Rodriguez Bad Fit for Miami Marlins?

The Star-Ledger-US PRESSWIRE

Alex Rodriguez and is falling stock is no match for the Miami Marlins, and I mean that literally.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Rodriguez is willing to move camps and has indicated that the Marlins would be a great fit for him moving forward.  Even the New York Yankees president Randy Levine and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria have joked about the possibility of trading the 37-year-old third baseman, but nothing has come about it.

Even, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said there was no such trade talks with Rodriguez in mind.

Per ESPN.com, “I have had no discussions whatsoever with the (Miami) Marlins,” Cashman said.  “Certainly would never have any trade discussions under the circumstances.  I certainly have not had any discussions with any GMs other than the pregame meetings with Dan Duquette with the Orioles, with the umpires and then with Dave Dombrowski (of the Tigers).  But I’ve had no trade discussions, so false.  One hundred percent false.”

While it may be false, it’s still interesting to speculate.

Currently, A-Rod is due about $114 million over the next five years (not including bonuses) in his unbelievable 10-year, $275 million deal he signed with the Yankees back in 2007.  He has not officially asked for a trade, but has spoken to friends and family about jumping at the possibility.  Names have also been thrown into the trade discussions.  Mostly, that of Heath Bell, who the Marlins would be willing to get rid in a heartbeat (considering he is due $18 million in the next two years).

Other teams of which have shown interest in A-Rod are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves.  Though, the Yankees would have to take on part of Rodriguez’s hefty bill to fork him over to another team.

What adds more fuel to the fire in A-Rod’s swirling trade rumors is that the Marlins are without a reliable third baseman.  This year, the team dealt Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers before the 10-man blockbuster trade that shook the entire league.  The Marlins’ trade, however, didn’t leave them with much support at third base.  The team’s current hot-corner position is held by Greg Dobbs, but he is, by no means, the team’s future.

If the deal somehow gains some traction, it wouldn’t be wise for the Marlins to make the move unless the Yankees were willing to eat up the majority of his contract.  But even so, Rodriguez’s career is taking a tumble.  In the last three years, the veteran third baseman has averaged around a pedestrian .272 batting average and .460 slugging percentage.  If he continues his downward trajectory, odds are he won’t make the Marlins better, just more financially vulnerable.