Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new Full Count video up, with a few tidbits to check out:
- A potentially otherworldly class of free agent first basemen after the 2011 season won't affect Scott Boras' handling of Prince Fielder. It's possible that Fielder could sign a long-term extension with the Brewers before then, but Rosenthal notes that Boras "rarely shows fear" when it comes to testing the open market.
- Despite a hot start and a possible willingness to waive his no-trade clause, Vernon Wells and his massive contract are unlikely to be moved. It also seems doubtful that he'd exercise his opt-out clause following the 2011 campaign. Even if he'd prefer to play for a contender, seeing him walk away from the final $63MM of his deal would be a huge shock.
- One scout thinks that Rich Harden, one of the prizes of the Rangers' offseason, looks awful, and would be very surprised if Harden had a strong year in Texas. The Rangers are, of course, more optimistic. They believe the Canadian right-hander will be fine if he throws strikes, given his ability to miss bats.
Wells needs to hit about fifty more jacks and steal about two hundred bases over the next few weeks before anyone can talk about moving that contract.
Yeah, even if he was producing like he did in 2003 and 2006, it’s hard to imagine any team thinking about taking on such a ridiculously backloaded contract (with so many years left on it).
But… if the Jays were willing to take on, say, half of it after Wells was having a great year, then they may find a few takers. Obviously way to early to talk about anything like that, thought.
Prince Fielder is currently listed at 5’11” and 270lbs. I also think that 270 mark is being nice. His father was taller and probably 50lbs lighter and he was done as an every day player by the time he was 33. Prince is health problem waiting to happen.
People say that and have been saying that since he came up. Problem is that he has been more healthy than prototypical “athletes” like Teixeira and A-Rod. Since 2006 Prince has played in 636 games and has 2742 PA’s. By way of comparison, A-Rod has played in 574 games (2511 PA’s) while Teixiera has been in 607 games and 2694 PA’s.
Baseball is a funny sport. Prince carries more risk than a more athletic player but there are no guarantees that he will be injury prone. Some guys are just big and manage to stay healthy for a long time.
Personally, I don’t have a prediction for when Fielder will break down. I just know that I would pay him extremely well over a short duration contract. I would break the bank for him if he came on a 3 or 4 year deal. I wouldn’t want anything to do with him on a deal for 5 years or more. Of course, there are very few players who I do think are smart investments for 5+ year deals anyway.
Prince is a Scott Boras client so there is no way he is going to sign a 3-4 year contract when hes not even 30.
While its true that he might never break down due to his weight, there still is a better chance he will than he wont. He is also seemingly getting bigger every year. I think teams will tread lightly with him because of his weight issues.
People say that and have been saying that since he came up. Problem is that he has been more healthy than prototypical “athletes” like Teixeira and A-Rod. Since 2006 Prince has played in 636 games and has 2742 PA’s. By way of comparison, A-Rod has played in 574 games (2511 PA’s) while Teixiera has been in 607 games and 2694 PA’s.
Baseball is a funny sport. Prince carries more risk than a more athletic player but there are no guarantees that he will be injury prone. Some guys are just big and manage to stay healthy for a long time.
Personally, I don’t have a prediction for when Fielder will break down. I just know that I would pay him extremely well over a short duration contract. I would break the bank for him if he came on a 3 or 4 year deal. I wouldn’t want anything to do with him on a deal for 5 years or more. Of course, there are very few players who I do think are smart investments for 5+ year deals anyway.
Prince Fielder is currently listed at 5’11” and 270lbs. I also think that 270 mark is being nice. His father was taller and probably 50lbs lighter and he was done as an every day player by the time he was 33. Prince is health problem waiting to happen.
God the Vernon Wells deal makes me sick.
God the Vernon Wells deal makes me sick.
I can’t imagine any team taking on 1/2 of Wells’ deal. Even if he breaks Bonds’ tainted record this year somehow, you still can’t trust he’s back enough to make that kind of commitment to the player.
His highest value is to the Blue Jays who hope they finally are paying him for production. They’re not getting out of that contract like with Rios, so they and their fans should be rooting damn hard that this guy comes back big time.
I can’t imagine any team taking on 1/2 of Wells’ deal. Even if he breaks Bonds’ tainted record this year somehow, you still can’t trust he’s back enough to make that kind of commitment to the player.
His highest value is to the Blue Jays who hope they finally are paying him for production. They’re not getting out of that contract like with Rios, so they and their fans should be rooting damn hard that this guy comes back big time.