Report: Alex Rodriguez Will Not Play Again in 2016

Despite reported interest from the Miami Marlins, former Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has decided not to play for the remainder of the 2016 season.

Speculation has been rampant about where Alex Rodriguez could end up since he was released by the New York Yankees on Saturday. At least one MLB club was intrigued by the possibility of adding the 41-year-old DH to their lineup.

After the news came out that the Fish would lose Giancarlo Stanton for the remainder of the season, both president of baseball operations Michael Hill and team manager Don Mattingly made their interest in signing Alex Rodriguez public.

Many assumed the opportunity to play for his hometown team would be too enticing to pass up, especially since he was essentially forced out of baseball by the Yankees front office this month. However, it appears fans have seen the last of A-Rod on in the majors, at least for this season.

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While Alex Rodriguez has not said anything personally regarding his future in MLB, his publicist Ron Berkowitz released a statement Monday that made it clear in no uncertain terms that A-Rod was done for the year.

“I want to put all this talk to rest about Alex playing for any team this season. It’s not happening. Like he said Friday night, he is happy and he is going to take some time to relax and hang with his family and friends.”

The lead up to Alex Rodriguez’s final game with the Yankees was anything but smooth. After manager Joe Girardi publicly stated that Rodriguez would play as much as he wanted during his last few games in pinstripes, he later changed his mind and kept A-Rod on the bench against his will for the majority of his remaining time with the team.

Even when the Yankees tried to honor Alex Rodriguez with a ceremony Friday, it was interrupted by a storm that forced them to flee the field.

Still, the aging superstar seemed content with his sendoff after Friday night’s win, telling reporters (including Chad Jennings of the Journal News), “I’ve got to tell you, it’s going to be tough to top that. That’s a memory that I will own forever.”

It’s important to note that Rodriguez’s publicist said nothing about the 41-year-old ending his career. He’s clearly leaving the door open to attempting a comeback in spring training next season. As unlikely as that may seem given his struggles this year, A-Rod may want to have one more shot at reaching 700 home runs and chasing down Babe Ruth for third on the all-time list.

Since he can’t sign for more than the major league minimum, Alex Rodriguez could present a tremendous buy-low opportunity if any clubs believe he can produce something close to what he did just last season. Rodriguez is a once-in-a-generation talent, and I certainly wouldn’t want to bet against him.