Marlins president: A-Rod rumors fueled by Miami connection

Miami Marlins president David Samson believes the speculation surrounding his team's interest in Alex Rodriguez was geographically-fueled.

"I think if he had lived in Seattle, then all the rumors would've been him going him to the Mariners," Samson told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post of the South Florida resident. "The rumors were because he lives in Miami."

Rodriguez received his release from the New York Yankees on Saturday after 12 seasons in pinstripes. It was reported that the Marlins were among the team's having internal discussions about possibly adding the 41-year-old. Any potential move to another team, however, was quickly put to bed when Rodriguez's publicist announced he would not play again in 2016.

While Rodriguez could return next season, Samson doesn't believe there is any room on his roster for the slugger. Rodriguez has logged just 27 2/3 innings defensively over the last two seasons and Samson believes the Marlins would have trouble fitting A-Rod in with a National League club.

"I would say I think that it's tough when you don't have the DH," Samson said, "But you never know. Stranger things have happened in this world."

He added: "I think his final chapter was pretty final, the way he left the Yankees."

Rodriguez has currently taken a step back from baseball, though the Yankees plan to use him as a special instructor and mentor to the organization's younger players.

While A-Rod and the Yankees have a partnership together - they owe him approximately $27 million after buying out the final year of his contract - Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said Rodriguez is open to sign elsewhere should he please.

"It's very flexible," Steinbrenner told Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports of the team's agreement with Rodriguez. "It was intended to be a very flexible situation."