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DETROIT -- What began as a casual, joking conversation between New York Yankeespresident 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.
According to the source, Levine and Loria discussed the possibility of A-Rod playing in Miami, his hometown, but characterized it as a joke between old friends.
According to the source, Loria said, "Alex is Mr. Miami, it would be great if he played here for us."
To which Levine is said to have replied, "You can have him."
A second source with knowledge of Rodriguez' thinking said the likely only place Rodriguez eventually would accept a trade to is Miami. Rodriguez has five years and $114 million remaining on his contract, not including milestone home run bonuses.
The conversation between the Yankees and Marlins was initially reported by Keith Olbermann on his MLB.com "Nerd Blog." Variety also reported the news.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he has had no trade talks regarding Rodriguez with anyone and described the first report as "false."
Levine refused to comment on the conversation with Loria, and when asked if he would look to shop Rodriguez in the offseason, he said, "That's something we would need to discuss."
Appearing Sunday on Ian O'Connor's show on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, Levine told O'Connor the following regarding A-Rod's future as a Yankee:
"That's like one of those questions: Where's the stock market going to be in 2017? Who's going to be president on Nov. 15?" he said. "If I had a crystal ball to predict all of that stuff, I'd be a lot smarter than I am. I'm not going to go there."
Rodriguez has been marginalized in the Yankees' lineup this postseason. He is 3 for 23, including 0 for 18 with 12 strikeouts against right-handers, and repeatedly has been benched and pinch-hit for in the playoffs.
"For all our fan base: Let's root for Alex, the contract is what it is, and he's there, and we hope he gets hot," Levine told O'Connor. "It's part of what we deal with all the time, just like any other contract."
It isn't unprecedented for Levine, along with ownership, to lead a deal. Two winters ago, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano.
The question that still needs to be answered is how much of the contract the Yankees would be willing to eat. The Marlins may want the Yankees to take reliever Heath Bell, who is owed $27 million over the next three seasons. He could have some use for the Yankees, because Soriano may opt out of his contract after this season.
Bell could provide insurance for Mariano Rivera's return as the team's closer. If Rivera is fine, Bell could team with David Robertson to set up Rivera.
I'll leave this right here...........
According to the source, Levine and Loria discussed the possibility of A-Rod playing in Miami, his hometown, but characterized it as a joke between old friends.
According to the source, Loria said, "Alex is Mr. Miami, it would be great if he played here for us."
To which Levine is said to have replied, "You can have him."
A second source with knowledge of Rodriguez' thinking said the likely only place Rodriguez eventually would accept a trade to is Miami. Rodriguez has five years and $114 million remaining on his contract, not including milestone home run bonuses.
The conversation between the Yankees and Marlins was initially reported by Keith Olbermann on his MLB.com "Nerd Blog." Variety also reported the news.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he has had no trade talks regarding Rodriguez with anyone and described the first report as "false."
Levine refused to comment on the conversation with Loria, and when asked if he would look to shop Rodriguez in the offseason, he said, "That's something we would need to discuss."
Appearing Sunday on Ian O'Connor's show on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, Levine told O'Connor the following regarding A-Rod's future as a Yankee:
"That's like one of those questions: Where's the stock market going to be in 2017? Who's going to be president on Nov. 15?" he said. "If I had a crystal ball to predict all of that stuff, I'd be a lot smarter than I am. I'm not going to go there."
Rodriguez has been marginalized in the Yankees' lineup this postseason. He is 3 for 23, including 0 for 18 with 12 strikeouts against right-handers, and repeatedly has been benched and pinch-hit for in the playoffs.
"For all our fan base: Let's root for Alex, the contract is what it is, and he's there, and we hope he gets hot," Levine told O'Connor. "It's part of what we deal with all the time, just like any other contract."
It isn't unprecedented for Levine, along with ownership, to lead a deal. Two winters ago, the Yankees signed Rafael Soriano.
The question that still needs to be answered is how much of the contract the Yankees would be willing to eat. The Marlins may want the Yankees to take reliever Heath Bell, who is owed $27 million over the next three seasons. He could have some use for the Yankees, because Soriano may opt out of his contract after this season.
Bell could provide insurance for Mariano Rivera's return as the team's closer. If Rivera is fine, Bell could team with David Robertson to set up Rivera.
I'll leave this right here...........
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