5 reasons Miami Marlins should sign Alex Rodriguez to replace Giancarlo Stanton

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CORAL GABLES, FL – FEBRUARY 13: New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez speaks at a ceremony to rename Mark Light Field to Alex Rodriguez Park in his honor at the University of Miami on February 13, 2009 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

5. Miami is his home

Alex Rodriguez is a legend in the city of Miami, and he definitely would feel at home playing in front of the home fans. The issue with A-Rod has always been that he is a lightning rod for fans, who either love him, or hate him. The people of Miami look at him as a hero, and he would get a heroes reception playing at Marlins Park.

Rodriguez is only four home runs shy of 700 for his career, and to be able to reach that achievement in Miami would be his career coming full circle. Former Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees third baseman Wade Boggs came home to Tampa Bay in 1998, and it was with the Rays that he blasted his 3,000 hit for a home run. Boggs played his high school ball at Plant High School in Tampa, and his #12 jersey is now the only retired number in Rays history.

During the off-season, Rodriguez still makes his home in Miami, and is a big part of the community. All through the talk of his release, he spoke about how great it was going to be being with his young daughters. Playing for Marlins would give him the opportunity to not only go back to playing the game he loves, but to also be around the people he loves.

During his high school days, Rodriguez was considered one of the best prep players of all-time. The Seattle Mariners liked him so much that they made him the first overall selection in the 1993 MLB Draft. Coming home to the Marlins would be easy for Rodriguez, who still has his roots there.

Next: 4. They signed Barry Bonds

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