MLB Rumors: 5 teams that can talk Alex Rodriguez out of retirement

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Sep 14, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) celebrates after he hits a RBI double during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

East. Tampa Bay Rays. 4. player. 21. . American League

The Yankees and the Red Sox are always relevant in the American League East. The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off the franchise’s best season since 1993 by playing in the American League Championship Series in 2015. The Baltimore Orioles are still a contender with the best manager in the division in the venerable Buck Showalter. So where does this leave the Tampa Bay Rays?

One way that the Rays can bring attention to the small market franchise is to get out of character and overpay for a declining veteran. Why couldn’t that guy be A-Rod in 2017? Rodriguez grew up in Florida in Miami and has spent the bulk of his MLB career playing for the Yankees in the American League East.

Rodriguez could be a veteran leader/designated hitter for the Rays in 2017 for around $10 million. If Tampa Bay management wants to shell out roughly a fifth of their 2017 payroll to a 41-year-old disgraced designated hitter to do the impossible and sell tickets at the lovely Tropicana Field, why not go all in on this hokey gimmick?

That being said, two things that Tampa Bay is incredible at as an organization is drafting and developing high-end arm talent and putting together competitive teams for AL Postseason runs. If the arms are there for the Rays in 2017, A-Rod might again have a decent opportunity to win another World Series if the stars align in Central Florida for the Rays.

Next: 3. Seattle Mariners

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