The latest on slugger Prince Fielder…
- Agent Scott Boras says he has a number of contract offers to take back to Fielder, including many from teams that surprised him, tweets Haudricourt.
- According to two Marlins beat writers, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Marlins are definitely not in on Fielder (Twitter links).
- A friend of Fielder's told Newsday's Ken Davidoff that the first baseman is very interested in the Cubs (Twitter link).
- GM Doug Melvin says the Brewers "have to consider moving on" from Fielder, tweets Haudricourt.
- Despite signing Mark Buehrle, the Marlins are still talking to Fielder, tweets Heyman. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter) confirms the Fish will take a run at Fielder, and hears from a source with knowledge of the Mariners' plans that Seattle will make a "strong effort" to sign the slugger.
- The Cubs' pursuit of Fielder has probably been overblown, GM Jed Hoyer told MLB.com TV.
- The Marlins' interest in Fielder has been exaggerated, a good source tells Tom Haudricourt.
- The Marlins are already in pursuit of Fielder, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network, as signs indicate the Cardinals will re-sign Albert Pujols.
- The Rangers are not in on Fielder, president Nolan Ryan told reporters.
Tim Dierkes and Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Unfortunately for Prince, his Field-er of suitors isn’t as wide as he is.
bu-rum-pa! what is this amateur hour?
Yep, appearing between conference calls daily 😉
Try the veal, and dont forget to tip your waitress!
AA needs to get this guy! Bautista, Fielder, Lawrie… thats a nasty 3, 4, 5
 Fielder is not going to sign a 5 year deal , its not happening. Why must we beat this point to death?
just because a GM says something publicly doesn’t mean they will stick to it.. Come on you show know this by now
It’ll be even nastier if they sign KJ too.
Someone will cave… a-la Jayson Werth
jayson werth was one of the first signings of last offseason was it not?
This post is condescending, is it not?
I didn’t find it condescending … unless I’m missing something.
wasn’t meant to be
I just meant there was no build up for the Werth signing.. One day we just all woke up and laughed at the nationals.
Where as with fielder, the market is developing and things are taking some time. Nats jumped the gun on the market last year
Forgot about that one.. Oh Boy did I Laugh…Â
um no
It read like a rhetorical question. And in a way it is, but if mike292929 isn’t offended I don’t care.
This looks like it is turning out like my MLB the Show 11, where no one took the players price and he signed for 3 million lol
The whole Fielder prospective will change once Pujols signs. Everyone that misses out on Pujols will be after Fielder, and other teams might also gain or lose interest once they see what the market price / term is.
Who needs Fielder when we have Mitch freakin Moreland?!
and a pitcher, a reliever and a utility infielder.
Fielder= 20-25mm per year
Moreland (500k), utility guy (2 mm), reliever(4mm), and Buehrle (14mm) so on the high side you can fill out your team for just over 20mm and still have enough money left over to resign Napoli and Hamilton and Kinsler and Cruz. If money and budget were no option, go get him, but signing him would hurt our team long term.
How about the Cardinals, if AP leaves.
I’m going to be greatly disappointed in AA and upper management if we don’t sign Feilder.
They want us to fill the seats?
Why don’t they get a left handed masher to put balls in the stands in right field. I would say 70% of people would prefer to sit in right field due to the chance of catching a home run.
If they get Feilder they stick him in cleanup, allowing the jays to have a righty and lefty to mash balls.
With Feilder and Bautista on the same team they should both easily eclipse 100 HR and 250 RBI. (between the 2 obviously). That’s just 2 of 9 hitters.
The other thing is if we don’t give protection to Bautista that other teams are actually afraid of then you will see a whole lot of pitchers pitching around Bautista and he will want to leave after a couple years (ala Halladay – to win).
That is totally understandable but what will the jays do in 3 years when Jose asks out?
It’s a perfect storm. AA should offer 4-7 years to Feilder.
If they don’t I have a feeling fans will officially “give up” on having a championship team. A playoff team is much MUCH different from a championship caliber team.
Sign Feilder and you’ll get attendance and for sure playoff bound.
If you feel as strong towards this as I do, spread the word with #FeilderFillsSeats.
An offer of 4 or 5 years would be kind of pointless, since Fielder had an offer from the Brewers of 6 years/$120M and didn’t take it. 6 years would only do it if the money was considerably higher and, most importantly, no other team offered 7 or 8 or more years. I could see the Jays going for 6 guaranteed, and perhaps a couple of team options, but I think Fielder will get more than that once Pujols is off the market.
And then there’s the issue of whether the player wants to play in Canada. Don’t know what Fielder thinks, but it’s obvious many players would require considerably more financial incentive to do so. It’ll probably remain that way until the Jays become a perennial contender, if indeed they do.
I would like to have Fielder on the Jays — he would make an already good offense comparable to any in the AL East. But his market will have to evaporate completely for the Jays to have a shot at getting him for 6 years guaranteed.
Everyone knows that Fielder would be perfect fit, you are not saying anything original. AA knows he should go after a big name FA like Fielder, I just don’t think he wants to risk all the good work he has done over the past two years. Imagine if it doesn’t work out? There goes the goodwill from the Wells and Escobar trade and his job is on the line.
TL; DR. Every Jays fan agrees with you. The Jays are trying to be the Rays when the can be the Phillies. It’s as simple as that.
This post is condescending, is it not?
extremely
You exposed my hypocrisy but it won’t excuse you!
This is beautiful!
This is beautiful!
If you read past the first line you would see that I agree with his post. Condescension implies malicious intent.
NOT IF YOU’RE CONFUSED SHARENSKI
Very well said. Also, imagine our top 5 hitters! Escobar, then Lawrie, Bautista, Fielder, Lind. Incredible!
And when I say 70% in right field I actually mean left field (from right handed hitters)
And when I say 70% in right field I actually mean left field (from right handed hitters)
And when I say 70% in right field I actually mean left field (from right handed hitters)
Wow man. Looks like disqus has it out for you.Â
Fielder will end up signing a 6 year deal with Toronto for around $130 million with a team option for a 7th year with a 4 or 5 mil team buyout.
If it happens, it’ll be for a lot more than $130M.
Baltimore or Washington would be crazy/stupid enough to offer 6/150, and if he’d take $21.5MM per to play for a fourth place team, I’m sure he’d take $25MM per to play for a last place team.
Discovering your inner Buster Olney?
Not a chance. Â He signs the first billion dollar contract with the Pirates.
Not a chance. Â He signs the first billion dollar contract with the Pirates.
150/6 to the Cubs. Â Book it
no way he gets more aav than pujols
He’s getting a much shorter deal. Â Only reason Pujols’ AAV will be low is because he’s getting 10 years.
I love how everyone is talking like the BlueJays are getting Fielder for sure when the article mentions that its looking unlikely.
It makes the most sense.. Blue Jays are in line to compete soon and they do have money.. Plus he could DH after 5 years
 Marlins will grab him after losing Pujols , no doubt in my mind, Jays wont go past 5 years , not even in the discussion anymore.
Good point.. I forgot about the 5 year rule with the Jays but there is always a chance at a 5 year high annual contract with the Jays and maybe an extension in the future.. Marlins could snag Fielder but Prices agent is Boras so you know Boras will go to the Marlins and say.. “Ok we will take the offer you gave Pujols” and that will cause chaos for Florida
Question… If you sign Fielder to a long-term deal (let’s say 8 years) and he dies of a heart attack in year 6, do you still have to pay him? If not, give him the 8 years.
Fielder will take a while.. these are my guesses:
1.Cubs
2.Jays (Last minute Mystery team that swoops up and steals him from Miami)
3.Marlins
4.AngelsÂ
I think the Mariners are more likely than the Angels or the Marlins
Can’t wait till Fielder signs!
I believe, AA has good reasons NOT to sign Fielder. I am confident he has something brewing up for a blockbuster trade for Votto next year. Besides, who wouldn’t take Votto over Fielder?
I wonder if Abbott and Costello will do some shtick about a DH named Fielder.
Fielder can play good enough at 1B for a couple years. How deadly would it look if they signed Fielder and then traded for Votto.
I know it’s fantasy but a lot of people seem to think he will become a Jay some way or another (Votto) so why not win now and add later?
Stupid autocorrect changed the hash tag. (#FielderFillsSeats).
Jays are going to loose a lot of fans if santos is the only piece added this year…
Fielder can play good enough at 1B for a couple years. How deadly would it look if they signed Fielder and then traded for Votto.
I know it’s fantasy but a lot of people seem to think he will become a Jay some way or another (Votto) so why not win now and add later?
Stupid autocorrect changed the hash tag. (#FielderFillsSeats).
Jays are going to loose a lot of fans if santos is the only piece added this year…
what do you expect
Rogers acts like a big shot but they wont spend more then 60 mil. What can we do when our government allows them to run a monopoly
“The Cubs’ pursuit of Fielder has probably been overblown”
Probably? Is he unsure or something?
And when I say 70% in right field I actually mean left field (from right handed hitters)
Fielder can play good enough at 1B for a couple years. How deadly would it look if they signed Fielder and then traded for Votto.
I know it’s fantasy but a lot of people seem to think he will become a Jay some way or another (Votto) so why not win now and add later?
Stupid autocorrect changed the hash tag. (#FielderFillsSeats).
Jays are going to loose a lot of fans if santos is the only piece added this year…Â Â Â Â Â
The way of the future.
The way of the future.    Â
The way of the future.
I hope Cubs beat Marlins bid for Fielder, and Wilson signs with the Angels. That way all they get is Reyes, Bell, and Buehrle.
So the Marlins are interested. Or they aren’t. or they are. Or they might be. Do the Marlins even know?
And Fielder is interested in the Cubs. But are the Cubs interested in him?
Boras is known for squeezing the most money out of a team for a top rated player. That being said, there is no way Pujols will get more per year. So what does that leave? Something like 7 years for 175mil, or 8 years for 200mil. Now the question is, which team is going to write the check?
Angels, Mariners, Marlins, and Cubs seem the most likely, but I think ultimately it will come down to the Cubs and the Mariners.
And the winner (or most in debt) is???????
Don’t overlook the Mariners people.
As a realistic M’s fan I don’t think we’ll be writing the biggest check unfortunately. I’d be shocked if he ends up signing with the M’s.
lol @ bluejays, they dont have money to spend
At this point, I actually do think he’ll end up with the Orioles.
6/150 with an opt-out clause somewhere in the there.
Side note: I’ll probably change my mind tomorrow when the next batch of rumors come out.
lol no kidding. These rumors are churning out like crazy now. My hearts pounding.
give him a 5-yr deal.. throw in some team options for years 6-9, that way jays are not committed beyond the 5 years AA would have him signed for. if he is still producing as he is come year 5, pick up his option for year 6, and so on…
In Anthopoulos’ I trust but i would almost go as far as a 7 year deal with this guy.
whoa.
did you take your pills today? That was oddly coherant and intelligent, by your standards
No good team is going offer more than 6 years
I’m sure prince will get a 7 or 8 year offer, from a basement team..
and then it will be a tough decision, lose some security or win some baseball games..
Ummm…every team has a firstbaseman. Who would the inflielders throw the ball to if they didn’t? 😛
A lot of teams have pitchers too.
 20+ mm a year for him to DH? Smart.
the Jays have the money to sign him to the big bucks, but its AA who has the final decision, and he’s too worried about signing someone beyond 5 years. I agree he’s hardly been in injury trouble, unlike Lind, it is a big commitment, but its well worth in the end. AA needs to make a splash if the Jays are going to make an attempt for the playoffs, which if they did get fielder probably wouldn’t happen next year, lack of frontline starting pitchers, but probably the year after for sure.
Lets hope thats the case. Jays will have a great opportunity to pick him up if all premier teams drop out of the running. To my understanding its between the cubs, angels and Jays. I would love to see Prince in the AL East!
There’s no way AA has the “final” decision when there’s this much money involved.
It’s hard to believe that the Marlins, if they don’t get Pujols, wouldn’t go after Fielder with a ridiculous offer. Unless the Marlins are only interested in Latin players, which, now that I think of it, might be true.
Technically, he does. Even if there is the backing of upper management, he is still the one that has to execute.
wow you’re 2/2
Shockingly, I usually agree with a lot of what you say.. you just take the most insulting way to make a point..
You can make points and intelligent posts without insulting an entire nation/fan base..
I think what we are going to see this offseason is how willing the organization is to spend some money to win ball games.. Their days of hoarding picks and international FA’s are done.
They have a need at 1B, 2 1stround drfat picks to absord the loss of one, and a small payroll..
If Fielder ends up signing a 8/160 with someone, I’ll understand the reasons not too.. But if he ends up signing a 6/130, knowing that Fielder would like to come here, it will be tough to swallow.
thats free agency though
you have to pay prime years for after prime performance..
but if Fielder helps bring you to a WS or 2, its all worth it..
How many years are we going to waste Bautista’s beast mode ?
By the time you get a votto or an ace, you might end up needing to fill a hole in RF
What is dumber, have a guy penciled in that could realistically hit 35-40 HRs and drive in 120 guys for the life of his contract, or pay $22 mill a year for a guy that will drastically diminish over the final half of the contract?
I have a hard time believing Bautista will decline anytime soon , he peaked late , i could easily see him being just as good in his 6th option year
some of what you said is true
but c’mon, Friedman has been with the Rays for years, you wouldn’t have been saying this stuff 5 years ago.. AA has only had 2 years, and not to mention he inherited a terrible freaking team with terrible contracts..
i have a harder time believing he can keep up this pace..
he slowed down a lot in the 2nd half last year.Â
he’s eventually going to need some help carrying the offensive load..
even if he doesn’t slow down, why was another 7 WAR season in 4th place?
the rays winning the AL was a huge shock, they didn’t go in to the season as favourites..
They also had a lot of early round draft picks that really worked out
Jays have Cooper, Snider and Jenkins, little bit of a contrast
Heath Bell sure doesn’t look Venezuelan to me…
And he is the first one fired if he did make a move of that size without upper management’s backing. He would never work in sports again if he did somehting like that.
But Buehrle and Wilson are………
Ask the Cubs.
They pretty much will have the pitcher covering first on every ground ball if they do not get Fielder or bring Pena back, haha.
No, really, the Cubs have LaHair and Colvin as their 1B options. That’s not exactly inspiring, even though I fully wanted Pena traded last season to see if LaHair could be a starter.
Since that did not happen, I would prefer to get Fielder, rather than gamble the future of a position used often to anchor an offense on a 28-year-old rookie.
Ha ha I agree.. they are annoying at this point.. Im think a lot of player/agents are seeing that and the Marlins may only get Reyes and Bell as their top signings this offseason .. They are playing fantasy baseball
fielder would like to come here?Â
in any case, i dont think theres a hope in hell fielder signs for 6 years. pujols will get 10, and boras will make the case that fielder is the better signing (and to be honest, he’s probably right). boras will wait all winter if he has to, and there should be enough competition for fielder to make a bidding war.
it doesnt sound like anyone (cubs, jays, mariners) wants fielder on a 7+ year deal, but that much interest alone (plus the orioles, marlins and probably others) will push the deal into crazy territory. someone will pay.
i would like to play the optimist, but it aint happening. they need to stay patient, as tough as that is with bautista’s deal running out. this years team is already better than last years, and with an extra WC they might find themselves in a position to make a big deal at the deadline.
i completely agree. that mindset certainly hurt the raptors and the jays during the riccardi era.Â
but if you’re referring to the current jays, i dont think the jays have ever indicated that they’re close. in fact every time AA has been asked if his team is one player away, he has always said no.Â
I would prefer Fielder as well, but I have also heard the Cubs would go after Gaby Sanchez or bring back Pena if Miami signed either Fielder or Pujols. I also hear a little rumbling that the Cubs are only “in” on either to drive up prices to their Central Division foes…
That’s how they’d spell it in Canada, ey? Like ‘favourite’ and ‘colour’. Oh, and Farve.
WTF is a hashtag?
I guess that depends GREATLY on what the Marlins want. On top of that, what do the Cubs really have to give them? We have no third baseman. They want Wilson, so they don’t need pitching (not would I trade Garza for Sanchez; maybe Morrison).
I guess they need a little OF help. Maybe Marlon Byrd, with the Cubs’ starting OF being Soriano-Campana-DeJesus or a flip of the CF and RF spots?
Personally, I’d rather have the younger Logan Morrison, especially since he might be cheaper with the mess he’s in with the Marlins.
I didn’t deny the fact that the rays have a better team and farm system
my only comment was on the fact that you some how feel its justified to criticize AA for the fact that he hasn’t won anything yet, 2 years in.
Care to expand on your ingenious analysis?
Pretty sure Bell’s mother is Brazillian. As for Buerhle, he may not be Latin, but he studied Latin in seminary school. And Wilson (whom they haven’t signed yet, let’s face it) has nice lats, or so I hear.
On giving this a second thought, and recovering from this most recent “senior moment,” I’ll revert to my original claim that the Marlins will likely now go after Fielder with a ridiculous offer. In addition to being a vegetarian (or donutarian, as some wag had it the other day), Prince is well know as a fine samba dancer. So there’s that . . .
On the other hand . . .
“According to a tweet
from Kenny Ken Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Florida Marlins are not
interested in re-investing the money they would have spent on Albert
Pujols in Prince Fielder. A “high-ranking” team official tells Rosenthal
that Fielder can’t “drive the Latin market like Pujols could have.”