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

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NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates with the trophy in the dugout after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

1. The Marlins are in contention

The bottom line is the Miami Marlins are in contention, and they have the pieces to make a serious run in the National League Wildcard standings. Losing Stanton is a huge blow to the team, and could possibly be one that they cannot overcome. However, adding a power bat like Alex Rodriguez to the lineup makes them better instantly, and is a move that should be done.

The Marlins have arguably the best young pitcher in baseball, as Jose Fernandez has come back from injury this season to be an absolute ace for Miami. They recently went out and brought in Fernando Rodney to bridge the gap to closer A.J. Ramos, giving the team a dangerous one-two punch at the end of games. They have the pieces to win now, but without protection in the middle of the lineup, they become just an average team.

Bringing in Rodriguez gives the team a legitimate power threat in the middle of the lineup, and if they can continue to get production from Marcell Ozuna, they will have a nice power punch against left-handers. If Justin Bour can come back healthy, the combination of A-Rod and Bour would fill the home run production left by Stanton’s injury.

Christian Yelich, Dee Gordon, and Ozuna are all nice young bats, and give the Marlins length in their lineup. Ichiro is going to have challenges playing every day, but he is batting over .300 for the season. Catcher J.T. Realmuto is one of the best young catchers in baseball, so there is no reason for the Marlins to pack it in just because Stanton is hurt.

Stanton struggled for a six-week span this season, and the Marlins won despite him not giving them much offensively. However, it was his name being penciled into the lineup that made him extremely valuable. Rodriguez is not going to hit .300 with the Marlins, but whenever he is in the lineup, the pitcher has to prepare.

The National League Wildcard is wide open, and the Marlins are a very good team. They should take a flyer on Rodriguez, let him bat against left-handers, and use his leadership to mentor the young players.

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