1
2012
Where Will Prince Fielder Land?
An article by 
Happy New Year Everyone! With not a whole lot to talk about today, I’ve got something to talk about. Where will Prince Fielder land?
It’s really surprising to see that Fielder has not signed yet. We expected Fielder to ramp up his negotiations after Albert Pujols signed with the Los Angeles Angels. However, it appears that he has slowed down in his pursuit of a new team.
According to Fielder’s agent Scott Boras, the process of getting Fielder acquainted with MLB general managers and owners has been time consuming. Teams like the Cubs, Nationals, Orioles, and the Mariners are interested in his services.
The team that signs Fielder will no doubt receive one of the best offensive players in Major League Baseball today. Fielder has the ability to hit bombs and when I say bombs, I literally mean bombs. He’s an RBI machine and also one of the most versatile players in the game.
At the moment, it appears that the Orioles are the favorites to land Fielder. Reports say that the Orioles are willing to go 8-years on a $160 million dollar deal.
There have been rumors that Fielder could sign a short-term contract of around 3-years, but I disagree – not with Scott Boras running the show.
As far as other teams go, it’s been very quiet. The Cubs have expressed interest in Fielder, but some say he might even end up with the Nationals.
GM Mike Rizzo has already said that Adam Laroche will be the team’s first basemen in 2012, so if Fielder signs with the Nats, then there could be some drama coming (just like what happened with Hanley after the Reyes signing).
If Baltimore is the only team willing to give Fielder a huge contract, then I expect he will sign there and forego and probable post season runs.
Things might change, but at this point it’s looking good for the O’s.
Who do you think will land Prince Fielder?
About the Author: Brandon Butler
Brandon is currently a MMO Minor League Staff Writer. He is also the co-host of the Mets Madness Podcast on Talkshoe Radio. Brandon lives in Hornell, NY.
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One thing is for sure…he will not be playing his home games in Queens. My guess is he will land on the Nats (there will be no LaRoche drama, c’mon, guy hit .172 in 40 games last year…trade him, end of “drama”)…but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Marlins pop up again with some sort of crazy offer.
Wait! You don’t think he’ll end up signing with the Mets? Just because the Mets are broke? Hey we can offer access to Mr Met and I’ll bet he’ll even dress up as Sully from Monsters Inc for o Prince’s kids!
Ok, so here’s the offer: 8 years & $160 million with $159 million deferred into yearly payments of $1 million for 159 years beginning in 2021, which happens be the same year in which the Mets cease paying Johan Santana. Check Cot’s Contracts for details on Santana.
Now, we can sign Prince! LOL
Weren’t the O’s the favorite to land Teix too?
8 years/160 million? If the O’s do that they;ll regret it.
I don’t think they would regret it. He’s 27, been healthy his entire career, and this offer is identical to the one Manny Ramirez signed back in ’00 with the Red Sox, so it’s not unreasonable for a hitter of his caliber. While people cite his physical conditioning it is worth noting that he averages better than 155 games played per season and works hard to not let his body get larger than what it is. Having said that, the DH would be a legitimate option if need be later in the contract.
However, being a Boras client I seriously doubt $20 million annually will land ANYONE Prince Fielder at this point. Boras is already touting him as a better option than Albert Pujols. He will want to get close to, and preferably exceed, the annual salary of Pujols. Whether he gets it is another thing entirely. But the O’s would not be wasting their money if they could sign him for (somewhat) reasonable money.
Why would they regret it, he’s only 27? Are you saying they will regret it because they still wont be much better than what they are or are you saying any team will regret the contract? I say Fielder is worth every penny if those are the numbers. He’ll give them about 275 homeruns and 1,000 RBIs. This isn’t Mike Jacobs we’re talking about here.
Arod and Texeira, are the Yanks happy with those contracts? Do you think the Sox are having second thoughts on Crawford? How about Howard in Philly? Werth in Washingon and even Ramirez and the Marlins. These kind of contracts kill a team if the player gets hurt or his performance goes downward.. Carlos Beltran
A-Rod and Tex helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series, Howard helped the Phillies win the 2008 Series. I would say the cost of the contracts is acceptable when you win, even if it’s just one time. In the case of each of those 3 players they were, or are, elite players in the top tier at their respective positions.
Jayson Werth, not so much. The Nationals overpaid to the extreme for a player who most would agree would rank no higher than 10th-15th among all ML RF. Now that is a contract that not only WILL be regretted, but SHOULD be. If you’re going to spend $100 million+ on any player, that player had ought to be among the elite at his position.
And Prince Fielder certainly is an elite 1B, ranking possibly only behind Albert Pujols. Any team needing legitimate game changing power and clubhouse presence would not go wrong in committing that kind of money to Fielder. I will concede that the risk with Fielder lies in the possibility that “if” his conditioning slips that later in the contract he may be limited to DH duties, therefore an AL team makes the most logical sense for an 8-10 year deal. Nevertheless, Fielder has never played in fewer than 157 games in the Major Leagues in the NL and playing the field clearly suggesting that conditioning is not an issue for him.
Moneyball fans dont look at world series wins, just money, contracts, etc. They are oblivious to a players contribution to a world series. They are content getting bang for the buck even if it means no world series for decades. Normal fans would say if it gets us a championship overpaying a player was worth it. Winning mentality versus economy and cost control.
If WS wins count for everything how many WS have the Yanks won in the last ten years wiith a huge number of the top ten contracts in baseball. The Phils won before Howard’s huge contract. The Phils won before Halladay and Lee and without huge contracts.
Why didn’t you throw Jason Bay’s name in there?
YankeeStadium full
Citizens Bank Park full
Fenway Park full
National park attendance up significantly.
Yeah, thiose contracts are really hurting ownership.
Meanwhile back in Queens the financial losses keep mounting, and only donal and any are buying tickets. The Met strategy of selling a lemon just doesn’t seem to be catching on yet.
Prince Fielder is an earnest young man who, unlike his father Cecil, takes the game seriously and stays in shape. Yet I notice on bunting situations by an opposing team, Prince typically stays back. He doesn’t charge the plate. I assume it’s because of the wear and tear on his wide berth frame. So for this and other reasons, I think eight years is too much for a prudent NL team to offer Prince. I wouldn’t give him more than five. In the AL, Prince can join Albert and hit out of a rocking chair forever.
I feel that the Angels made a huge mistake with Pujols. The Machine has started to break down a bit if you know what I mean LOL. I just don’t know if he can stay healthy. He might playing in the AL, but at this point its tough to tell. We’ll see.
8 years makes more sense for Fielder. Why would he sign for 3? I don’t buy that sign for 3 then free agent again, sign for big bucks again. The big contracts are signed for long term security.
I think the O’s have a lot more work to do than just Prince. So if they DO get him, they better get serious about spending that owners $ to build a team around him.
I think Prince lands in Toronto or Texas. He’s a perfect AL player. I hope it’s Toronto personally.
I thought the Cubs would be his landing spot from day 1 but it seems like Theo and Hoyer are being more cautious in their 1st offseason.
I hope he lands in Toronto also. But I’m not buying the Nationals not being in on Prince. This team is chomping at the bit to be relevant and to help their young core take it to the next level. Prince is D.C. is worse case scenario for the Mets because last thing we need his bat in that lineup for the next seven years.
I agree about Washington. You don’t stick with LaRoche instead of getting Prince.
I just feel like they want to focus on CF in case Bryce isn’t ready yet…
No doubt about it Jesse. The Orioles (if they sign Fielder) do have some holes to fill surrounding their offense, but if you think about it, Fielder would be a tremendous start….
Wherever Prince Fielder lands, it’s going to look like the top of Mount St. Helens!
Just this year, Washington had an earthquake. It won’t be the last if Prince plays there and lands hard on the ground.