4 p.m. update: Don Mattingly said moments ago that Giancarlo Stanton will miss the remainder of the season with a serious injury (a grade 3 groin strain), delivering a blow to the Marlins' hopes of ending MLB's second-longest postseason drought. (Mike Hill didn't rule out the possibility of Stanton returning at the very end of the season.)

A-Rod is now more of a possibility for the Marlins (more on that in a minute).

This latest Stanton injury reminded me of a conversation I had with a top Marlins executive during the winter.

I asked the question: Did you worry about Stanton's durability issues, or spend much time discussing that concern, before (in November 2014) giving him the largest contract in baseball history (13 year, $325 million). The Marlins official gave me a quick and unequivocal no.

But here's the bottom line: In six full seasons, Stanton has played in more than 123 games only twice. His final number of games for the past five seasons: 123, 116, 145, 74 and 103.

And there's this: After being a relative bargain at $6.5 million last season and $9 million this season, Stanton's salary jumps to $14.5 million next season, then $25 million in 2018 and $26 million in 2019 and $26 million in 2020, after which he can opt out of his contract.

But if he doesn't opt out, his salary for the eight years that follow are mind-blowing: $29 million, $29 million, $32 million, $32 million, $32 million, $29 million, $25 million and $25 million (with a $10 million buyout for that final season).

With one of MLB's lowest payrolls, the Marlins ultimately will not be able to afford spending that much IF Stanton can't stay healthy.

Stanton finishes 2016 with a .244 average (a career low), plus 25 homers and 70 RBI.

Nothing comes easily for this franchise, and this blow is simply the latest.

At least the Marlins are fortunate to have a consummate pro like Ichiro available as a fourth outfielder (and now their third outfielder), but this means fewer days off for Christian Yelich and struggling Marcell Ozuna. And for all Stanton's struggles this season, his bat will sorely be missed in the middle of the lineup, especially with Justin Bour out until September.

Marlins executive Michael Hill told reporters minutes ago that he will give consideration to signing Alex Rodriguez, something (which we mention below) has been discussed internally in recent days. If A-Rod plays first, that would free others (Derek Dietrich, Chris Johnson) to play some outfield.

SUNDAY BUZZ COLUMN

Local high school coaches and prospects are raving about Mark Richt and his staff and the changes they’ve made in UM’s approach with South Florida recruiting. And the efforts have paid off, with the recent addition of several local prospects, including four-star Columbus cornerback Trajan Bandy.

“They are doing a terrific job sending the right coaches after the kids they’re recruiting,” said Booker T. Washington coach Tim Harris, who was on Al Golden’s UM staff. “It’s a matter of time before they are going to be able to keep all the kids in South Florida that they want. Coach Richt’s record speaks for itself in terms of the character and integrity that he has and walking into a household with families that can trust he is going to take care of their son.”

Plantation American Heritage coach and former Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain put it this way: “The guy won at Georgia and guys respect that. He has a plan and guys want to follow that plan. He’s getting recruits that in past years were going to Florida State and Florida; he’s getting those kids to stay home. He’s bringing an SEC mentality, getting big up front on the lines. The skill guys will [always] come.”

Local coaches cite a few changes that Richt has made from Golden.

For starters, “I see the coaches around much more than the previous staff,” Fort Lauderdale Dillard coach Lorenzo Davis said. “And they come in droves, the maximum you can bring at a time – at least three.”

Central’s Navaughn Donaldson, a UM oral commitment rated the nation’s No. 4 guard and 80th best prospect by Rivals, committed to UM when Golden was coach but said the new staff “is more aggressive, more into it. They do things different. They want me coming out to the U, to spend time with the team. That makes me feel [wanted]. I like it.”

Miami Southridge coach Billy Rolle praised Richt for his novel idea of making regular appearances at youth football leagues in local parks, cultivating future relationships. “I haven’t seen a coach do that,” Rolle said. “I don’t even do that! Everyone was impressed.”

Another change: Richt held five seven-on-seven camps on campus this summer. Golden had only one (in 2015), none before.

“Their summer camp set up is more advantageous to the kids [than the previous one],” Columbus coach Chris Merritt said. “The past staff had different philosophies with the camps but I like the idea of not traveling all over the entire state to go to 7 on 7 competitions when I can go down to Coral Gables a couple of times during the summer.

Richt's recent Paradise Camp for high school prospects, which lured star assistant coaches (Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin, among others) “was impressive,” Dillard’s Davis said. “You had guys who played at the highest level of football.”

What’s more, Dillard high-end defensive line prospects Jon Ford (Rivals’ No. 22 strongside defensive end who is orally committed to UM) and Jordan Wright (who’s strongly considering UM) are convinced that the new staff’s defensive philosophy will get UM better defensive linemen.

When the previous staff recruited Ford, he said he wasn’t interested because “the defensive scheme wasn’t my type, just sitting on the line and reading [and reacting]. I like to get to the quarterback as soon as possible and make a play in the backfield. I like their [new] attacking style; no waiting. I see a big change coming into Miami; I just know Miami will be the Miami it used to be.”

Bottom line, Central coach Roland Smith said, is Richt and his staff are “doing a phenomenal job, starting out on the right foot. He comes across as truthful. You can tell when you talk to him he’s a spiritual guy and guy who’s trustworthy.”

• Donaldson said there’s a better “than 70 percent” chance he will stick with UM, though UF and FSU are pushing hard.

CHATTER

• Though Don Mattingly said he isn't aware of any discussion of the Marlins signing Alex Rodriguez, the Marlins front office has indeed tossed around the idea, according to someone with direct knowledge. (FanRag's Jon Heyman reported likewise.)

Marlins players apparently wouldn’t object. David Phelps, who played with Rodriguez in New York, said people have a perception of A-Rod and “they don’t see the guy he is behind the scenes, in the clubhouse, helping guys develop.”

Corner infielder Chris Johnson, whose playing time could be affected if Rodriguez joins the Marlins, said he would be fine with it. “We have a club that would welcome anyone that would help us win a game. If he helps, let’s do it.”

• According to Andy Slater this morning, the Marlins are placing Giancarlo Stanton (groin) and Adam Conley (hand) on the disabled list and bringing up Robert Andino. They're also bringing up reliever Hunter Cirvenka. Stanton injured himself in the ninth inning of the Marlins' loss Saturday.

[UPDATE: MATTINGLY SAID AFTER THE GAME THAT STANTON WILL MISS THE REST OF THE SEASON].

• In his letter to fans last week, Heat owner Micky Arison included Chris Bosh in discussing this year’s team. And the latest is that the Heat is cautiously optimistic that he will play this season, though nothing is yet certain.

• The Dolphins’ Dallas Thomas, one of South Florida’s most criticized athletes the past few years, struggled again Friday. But he says he fully expects to be a starter again this season.

Laremy Tunsil has been backing him up at left guard but is expected to emerge as the starter there. That would leave Thomas, Billy Turner and Jermon Bushrod competing at right guard.

“I didn’t come in to come off the bench,” Thomas said.

Does he want to prove his critics wrong? Thomas said he didn’t have the slightest idea fans criticize him because “I’m not even on social media so I don’t see nothing, I don’t hear nothing. Social media gives people balls to say things they wouldn't say to your face. I feel like I’m doing good.”

Pro Football Focus ranked Thomas 80th of 81 qualifying guards last season, but Dolphins coaches have liked his work this summer UNTIL he allowed too much penetration against the Giants.

Thomas began Sunday's practice with the starters at left guard, despite Friday's struggles. But Tunsil later got some first-team work, with Thomas flipping to right guard.

• Richt recently surprised every former Hurricanes player in the NFL by mailing them “swag bags.” Brandon Harris, who said Al Golden did something similar, got his quickly, the day after he signed with the Dolphins.

Dolphins rookie receiver Rashawn Scott said “it was a great eye-opener when he sent that because it wasn’t just a little bit of stuff. It was a lot of clothes, seven, eight pieces – shorts, long sleeves, jackets. I know everybody appreciates that and has mad love for the school.”

Twitter: @flasportsbuzz