Oct 16, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez walks back to the clubhouse after warming up for game three of the 2012 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE
The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins have reportedly had discussions of a possible offseason trade for Alex Rodriguez.
Wallace Matthews and Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com report that Yankees president Randy Levine and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria have explored the possibility of A-Rod returning to his hometown of Miami and the talks could turn into serious discussion when the season ends.
Loria reportedly told Levine, ”Alex is Mr. Miami, it would be great if he played here for us.”
Rodriguez has struggled this postseason and has even been benched during the American League Championship Series. A-Rod will be on the bench for Wednesday night’s ALCS game as the Yankees hope to keep their season alive. It is the third time Rodriguez has been benched during the ALCS.
Despite the struggles and trade talks, Levine wants fans to remain supportive of A-Rod.
“For all our fan base: Let’s root for Alex, the contract is what it is, and he’s there, and we hope he gets hot,” Levine said “It’s part of what we deal with all the time, just like any other contract.”
When the season is over, the Yankees will likely look for a way out of the remaining five years and $114 million that Rodriguez is still owed. Many believe that Miami is the only place that A-Rod would agree to go via a trade.
A name that has popped up in the hypothetical A-Rod trade to Miami is Marlins reliever Heath Bell.
Bell is owed $18 million over the next two years and would provide added depth to the Yankees pitching staff.
