Reports Of Alex Rodriguez Joining Marlins Turn Out Untrue
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It's been an interesting couple of days for the Miami Marlins.
The big news surrounding the Marlins is that superstar slugger Giancarlo Stanton will very likely miss the remainder of the season due to a groin strain that will keep him sidelined for six weeks.
Then came the report from ESPN's Jim Bowden that Alex Rodriguez, fresh off being released by the New York Yankees, was going to sign with the Marlins and play first base.
.@JimBowden_ESPN: ARod to the #Marlins is going to happen, has to clear waivers Monday but it's going to happen. Play 1B
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) August 15, 2016
As you can see (and hear, if you go back and listen to the audio), Bowden was sure that Rodriguez would be joining the Marlins as soon as Monday afternoon.
That, however, did not happen and if you ask Rodriguez's spokesperson Ron Berkowitz, it's not going to happen. At least not this season.
"I want to put all this talk to rest about Alex playing for any team this season. It's not happening."--
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 15, 2016
ARod spokesman Ron Berkowitz
With the loss of Stanton and the mystery behind first baseman Justin Bour's ailing ankle, it's not surprising that the Marlins were linked to Rodriguez.
It also made sense from the standpoint that Rodriguez calls South Florida home and lives here with his family during the offseason.
Marlins president of baseball operations Mike Hill said on Sunday that the team would be looking to make a move to improve the ballclub as it contends for its first playoff berth since 2003.
"This team has played too well for too long," Hill said. "We're right in the thick of this thing, and we're going to do everything in our power to help in any way we can. If it's him, if it's someone else, we're going to try to find a way to make it happen."
The hope was that Bour would return from injury sometime in the past week but now it looks like he may not be back in the Marlins lineup until September.
And for what it's worth, Bowden ended up backtracking on his initial report after the statement from Berkowitz.
Bowden posted this on ESPN.com:
"Marlins are clear that Alex Rodriguez is on their list, but they are not sure he still wants to play....then Rodriguez spokesman Ron Berkowitz makes it clear he is not playing for another team THIS year."
The Marlins begin a seven-game road trip on Monday night when they kick off a four-game set in Cincinnati.