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MLB Rumors: 5 teams Alex Rodriguez could come out of retirement for

By John Buhler

Jul 31, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) comes up to pinch hit during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) comes up to pinch hit during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 7, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

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

The Tampa Bay Rays would be a great fit for Rodriguez for a handful of reasons. Rodriguez is a native Floridian, is very familiar with the American League from his decade plus tenure with the Yankees, and Tampa Bay isn’t a very good baseball team.

Yes, the Rays have terrible attendance and boast one of the league’s most frugal payrolls, but Rodriguez would be able to chase 700 home runs on a one-year deal worth a few million dollars and put some people in the seats at cavernous Tropicana Field.

Rodriguez largely needs to DH or come off the bench as a pinch hitter at this stage of his career. If he has to, he could play some third base for the Rays, but the FieldTurf infield of Tropicana Field is less than desirable for the 41-year-old slugger to play on regularly.

Players like Fred McGriff, Jose Canseco, and Wade Boggs played the tail end of their career in Tampa. Could Rodriguez be the next formerly great player to play part-time for the lowly Rays in Tampa Bay? There might even be a spot for him on the team as a player-coach. Who knows?

Next: 3. Boston Red Sox.

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