Marlins president after Stanton injury: We'll consider A-Rod
A-Rod's career may not be over just yet.
Miami Marlins president Michael Hill publicly revealed Sunday - shortly after it was announced star slugger Giancarlo Stanton would miss the remainder of 2016 with a groin injury - that the team will at least consider signing free agent Alex Rodriguez.
"He's an available player," Hill told reporters, according to Craig Davis of the Sun Sentinel.
When asked if the Marlins will reach out to Rodriguez, Hill answered, "I think we're going through that process right now. ...
"I have no idea what his interest level is to continue playing. Where we are now, this team has played too well for too long and we're going to do everything in our power to help it any way we can ... whether it's (Rodriguez) or anyone else."
The Marlins had internally discussed the idea of adding A-Rod, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reported, before the severity of Stanton's injury became clear. With the team in a playoff race, however, all options - including Rodriguez - are being explored to find another bat for the stretch run.
Earlier in the week, manager Don Mattingly said the team hadn't discussed bringing in Rodriguez despite rampant speculation it would look into the possibility. Even before Stanton's injury, however, Mattingly left the door slightly open for A-Rod to help out as a first baseman with Justin Bour still out.
''There's no reason (Rodriguez) couldn't play first. He has the ability to do a lot of things,'' Mattingly said of A-Rod, who's only played two career games at first, on Saturday.
Rodriguez, who grew up in Miami and still lives there, was released by the New York Yankees on Saturday after 12 seasons with the club, and was moved into an advisor role. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters last week that Rodriguez would be allowed to continue his playing career elsewhere despite his new off-field role in their organization.
Rodriguez doesn't have a natural position in the field anymore and is in the worst season of his career at the plate, owning a .200/.247/.351 line with just nine homers. The 41-year-old remains four home runs shy of 700 for his career.