Fantasy Baseball: How Alex Rodriguez to Miami Would Change Things

With his contract, this wouldn’t have seemed even a remote possibility even a few days ago, But Wallace Matthews and Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York are reporting that Alex Rodriguez may be on the move to the Marlins this offseason.

"What began as a casual, joking conversation between New York Yankees president Randy Levine and Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria about the possibility of Alex Rodriguez playing for the Marlins may develop into serious trade talks this offseason, according to a source with knowledge of the conversation."

Then later on, they added:

"A second source with knowledge of Rodriguez’ thinking said the likely only place Rodriguez eventually would accept a trade to is Miami."

Obviously this is a long way from happening. Still, Rodriguez has been pinch hit for multiple times this postseason didn’t even start in Game 5 of the ALDS and Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS, so it’s worth speculating on.

What if A-Roid took his talents to South beach??

He certainly wouldn’t be the biggest ego, there, not even in the Marlins’ clubhouse!

How much does A-Rod still have left to offer?

He gave fantasy owners 18 home runs in 463 at bats last year, playing home games at Yankee stadium. Not to mention, subpar numbers everywhere else. Rodriguez doesn’t steal anymore, he isn’t hitting for great power or high average. Could a move to a not so hitter friendly park, a club house in turmoil because of the manager and a line-up with some glaring question marks help A-Rod or just provide the finishing blow to his career?

As of right now this is the Marlins projected lineup for next season:

1- Emilio Bonifacio
2- Justin Ruggiano
3-Jose Reyes
4- Giancarlo Stanton
5- Logan Morrison
6- Greg Dobbs
7- Rob Brantly
8- Donovan Solano

No doubt the Marlins would bench Dobbs to have A-Rod at third base, and most likely they would slide Rodriguez to 5th in the order and push LoMo back to 6th. With Reyes, Giancarlo and A-Rod in the heart of the order, things look a little nicer on paper for Miami (or at least name value wise).

There are 3 things to really hope for with Alex Rodriguez to return to form, as best he can at age 38 next year.

• Health – First and foremost, Alex Rodriguez needs to get his body right, and stay on the field for 500+ at bats. Perhaps he can and will do so. You’ve got to think that the joints would hurt less in a warm climate like Miami.
• Pride – Second A-Rod needs to have the pride to want to prove EVERYONE wrong, ESPECIALLY the Yankees for shipping him off after toying with him in and out of the line-up this postseason. Heck, even if they don’t trade him, he needs to have this desire to prove that they were wrong for benching him and even thinking about moving him.
• Confidence – Kobe Bryant has it right, Rodriguez needs to remember he was/is A-Rod.  Perhaps with assurance of consistent time in the field and a solidified spot in the heart of the order, A-Rod would re-emerge!

Even with all of these things happening for Rodriguez, fantasy owners need to realize a few things as well.

A-Rod will NEVER be A-Rod again, so temper your expectations going forward.

The Marlins park is not a fantasy sexy stadium, Giancarlo will be fine there because he can hit the ball 600 feet, however it may make Alex look more like Victor Martinez or Carlos Lee type guy, GREAT RBI numbers, not matching HR numbers.

Third base is MUCH MUCH deeper than ever before.  So DO NOT reach or break the bank for a 3B as you can end up with a very decent option late in drafts!