Former Marlins catcher could've had a different career

Who can really forget Miami Marlins legend Ivan Rodriguez? He led the then Florida Marlins to a World Series win in 2003. It's interesting to notice, that the legend may not have played for the team at all, if something didn't happen.... As this MLB.com article points out, the 2000 season that he had with the Texas Rangers was very telling for what his career ended up becoming.

Ivan Rodriguez may not have played for the Miami Marlins.

The 2003 World Series is one of my favorite childhood experiences. That entire 2003 season was in fact. I really enjoyed watching the Miami Marlins (well Florida Marlins) win it all, and it would not have happened without Ivan Rodriguez. Pudge was the glue of that team, leading The Fish to the title. It's important to point out, that he signed prior to the season on a one-year contract to prove that he was healthy.

Pudge was sadly gone after the season, signing a multi-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. The 2000 season was the first time that Pudge's injury problems really showed themselves. That season, he batted .347/.375/.667, with 27 home runs and 83 RBI in 91 games and 363 AB. He was worth 4.8 WAR and had he stayed healthy....

Those 27 home runs in 91 games is unbelievable. He never topped the 35 home runs that he hit in 1999, but he was surely going to hit 40+ in 2000. He was obviously going to drive in well over 100 RBI as well. In fact, since he won the American League MVP award in 1999, he almost certainly would've been in the running to win it in 2000 as well.

Had Ivan Rodriguez had a big 2000 season, there's a big chance that he wouldn't have been seen as injury-prone. This means that his then team the Texas Rangers would've almost certainly had more hesitation about letting him go. I wouldn't have been surprised if he ended up receiving some extension, which only further points to him not being able to hit free agency after the 2000 season. Or maybe he would've, but signed a multi-year deal elsewhere. I'm not happy that he was injured, but I'm glad that he ended up with the Miami Marlins.