{"id":12546,"date":"2012-01-15T19:30:14","date_gmt":"2012-01-15T19:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/?p=12546"},"modified":"2012-01-24T21:48:49","modified_gmt":"2012-01-24T21:48:49","slug":"finding-a-place-for-fielder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/?p=12546","title":{"rendered":"Finding a place for Fielder"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Now that the New York Yankees are on course to make two significant additions to their starting rotation, there aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t many squares left to fill in on the MLB offseason bingo card.<\/p>\n

The one big square remaining that stands out concerns the star slugger Prince Fielder. We are only five weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training and we still do not know which camp the first baseman will be attending.<\/p>\n

All things being equal, every team would want to add a player of Fielder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quality. However, his status as one of the offensive stars of the game means that signing him will involve a substantial commitment in years and dollars.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Each team\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s financial resources, areas of need and closeness to contention will be pivotal in determining who is genuinely in a position to negotiate with agent Scott Boras in the hope of adding the free agent to their roster.<\/p>\n

Below, I take a look at the prospects of all thirty teams, assigning every one as either a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnope\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpossibly possible\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (not out of the question, but unlikely), \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpossible\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 (could be, but not a favourite) or \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdefinite contender\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n

Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Donning a D-Backs uniform would make for a fun story after he upset the locals by overlooking Justin Upton for the 2011 Home Run Derby at Chase Field. Arizona do not look like investing in a big contract though and seem set to continue with Paul Goldschmidt at first base.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Braves<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. The Braves are no longer big spenders and have a good young first baseman in place in Freddie Freeman.<\/p>\n

Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possibly possible. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no doubt they need star level talent and the O\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s have been linked with making a major commitment in recent years, most notably with Maryland native Mark Teixeira. However, they need a lot more than Fielder to get anywhere close to contention. Spending big on Fielder wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make sense without spending big on several other players as well, and that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just not going to happen.<\/p>\n

Boston Red Sox<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. They are more than happy with Adrian Gonzalez.<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possibly possible. They have the money to make it happen, but it wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite fit the short-term direction of the team and you would expect Bryan LaHair and the recently-acquired Anthony Rizzo to be the main contenders for first base at Wrigley over the next few years.<\/p>\n

Chicago White Sox<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re still not completely sure what direction they are going in, but we do know Paul Konerko is locked in at first base and the weight of Adam Dunn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s contract at DH is one that cannot be shifted anytime soon.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Reds<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Joey Votto is their man at first.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Indians<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Would be an intriguing addition; however they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t appear to have the finances to make it happen.<\/p>\n

Colorado Rockies<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no sign that the Rockies are looking to add a big contract. Veteran Todd Helton is still under contract for two more years, while recent signing Michael Cuddyer will probably spend some time at first base over the next couple of years as well.<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Miguel Cabrera is happily entrenched as their first baseman and the Tigers won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be adding another big contract exclusively for a Designated Hitter.<\/p>\n

Houston Astros<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. The Astros are rebuilding, trying to get rid of any even marginally costly contracts, not adding any.<\/p>\n

Kansas City Royals<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Eric Hosmer looks set to be their first baseman for years to come and adding a lucrative contract to their developing team isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t on the agenda.<\/p>\n

L.A. Angels<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. I think we can all agree that spending $240m+ on Albert Pujols categorically rules them out.<\/p>\n

L.A. Dodgers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possible. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an argument that adding Fielder would only help McCourt get top dollar when he eventually sells the team. Judging by the level of interest in the Dodgers though, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s likely (and let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face it, somewhat annoying) that McCourt will have little trouble bringing in a vast sum without him. Seeing Fielder sign a one-year deal somewhere to set up a multi-year contract with the new Dodgers owners in a year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time sounds like an interesting idea, but I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see Boras failing to get his client a multi-year contract at this stage in Fielder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s career (it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not as though he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coming off a down-year and needs to rebuild his value) and there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no guarantee that new owners would be in charge this time next year either.<\/p>\n

Miami Marlins<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possible. They clearly have money to spend; however their approach so far has been to go out and get who they want. If they were strongly interested, I suspect Fielder would have signed somewhere not long after the Marlins missed out on Pujols.<\/p>\n

Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possibly possible. My heart is probably ruling my head by not typing \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnope\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 here. They would undoubtedly love to have him back and if his price has lowered over the offseason as some suggest (I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not overly convinced on that) then owner Mark Attanasio could push the boat out to pull off a major coup. Unfortunately for Brewers fans, it will only take one team to take Fielder out of their reach and that seems the likely outcome.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Twins<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re still hoping Justin Morneau can return to former glories and even though their financial resources have been greatly boosted by Target Field, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doubtful they could take on another major contract alongside Joe Mauer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.<\/p>\n

New York Mets<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. A team in a major media market, with a lucrative TV network and a three-year old ballpark should be the in running for players such as Fielder, but unfortunately the Mets are in a mess.<\/p>\n

New York Yankees<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. They are not looking to add another huge contract and Mark Teixeira\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s locked in as the first baseman, with the DH spot a useful option to give Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez a rest from the field every now and then.<\/p>\n

Oakland A\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. The average annual value of Fielder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eventual contract could well amount to around 50 per cent of the A\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Opening Day 2012 payroll.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Ryan Howard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in the way here.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. The Pirates are not adding a lucrative contract to their payroll any time soon.<\/p>\n

San Diego Padres<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. Like the Pirates, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not in a position to add a big contract and will give the recently-acquired Yonder Alonso every change to make first base his own at PETCO Park.<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possibly possible. Very close to being another \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnope\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. They are one of the bigger spenders in MLB and would love to add a big bat, so it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not completely out of the question. However, if they are going to commit major money to anyone, it will be in the form of contract extensions for Matt Cain and\/or Tim Lincecum.<\/p>\n

Seattle Mariners<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possibly possible. The Mariners don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really profile as a team that would add a major free agent at this point, as they need other players on top of this to put them into contention.\u00c2\u00a0 However, they need a big boost to their offence, they do have some money and the rumours won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go away about them potentially being in the running.\u00c2\u00a0 Quite how serious their interest is remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope.\u00c2\u00a0 After losing Pujols, the Cardinals were never likely to spend a considerable amount on another first baseman.\u00c2\u00a0 Lance Berkman looks set to move from the outfield to take over Pujols\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 fielding spot in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Nope. They have a vacancy at first base, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to be filled by someone on a one or two year deal (potentially reuniting with Carlos Pena?) rather than a substantial commitment.<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Definite contender. We know they have the money and we know that team officials met with Fielder and Boras last Friday. We will find out by 10 p.m. UK time on Wednesday (18th) if the Rangers have reached an agreement with Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish and things could move swiftly in the Fielder sweepstakes once that deadline has passed.\u00c2\u00a0 The only question is: will the Rangers still be in on Fielder if they do indeed spend their $51.7m posting fee and agree a five or six year deal with Darvish?\u00c2\u00a0 Incredible as it may seem at first, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be surprised if the answer is \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcyes\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n

Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Possibly possible. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been a dark horse all along and can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be counted out completely.\u00c2\u00a0 The rumours are that the Blue Jays have reservations about dishing out a contract for six years or more and that will probably count them out.<\/p>\n

Washington Nationals<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Definite contender. They have the money and are not afraid to spend it if the right player comes along. The Nationals are really on the up and while they have a good first baseman in Adam LaRoche, Fielder would be a considerable upgrade that could quickly help to push Washington into the postseason.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That amounts to six \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpossibly possibles\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, two \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcpossibles\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and two \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcdefinite contenders\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more than enough potential bidders for agent Scott Boras to drive yet another hard bargain and add another nine-figure contract to his list.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

My prediction? I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think someone will come out of the shadows; it will be the two definite contenders that end up in the final round of negotiations.\u00c2\u00a0 The Nationals have recent form in agreeing to Boras\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s demands and if he can get them to give Jayson Werth a seven-year $126m contract, he can convince them to just top the Rangers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 best offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now that the Yankees are on course to make two significant additions to their starting rotation, there aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t many squares left to fill in on the MLB offseason bingo card. The one big square remaining that stands out concerns the star slugger Prince Fielder<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mlb-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12546","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12546"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12546\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12591,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12546\/revisions\/12591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baseballgb.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}